PERU — St. Bede Academy’s Samuel Halm, the son of Jay and Rendy Halm of LaSalle, is the 2012-13 recipient of the HOBY Award. Halm will attend a state leadership seminar this summer with other HOBY Award winners from around the state.

The HOBY Award stands for Hugh O’Brian Youth Association. The HOBY seminar is a national program exclusively for high school sophomores. The mission of HOBY is to seek out, recognize, and develop leadership potential. The expected outcomes of the seminar are for students attending to learn to think critically; to enhance their leadership skills; to learn more about democracy, free enterprise, and volunteerism; to accept the risks of leadership.

Throughout the three-day seminar, Halm will interact with key leaders in media, politics, and business in Illinois. Students attending this seminar will have the chance to ask these individuals questions and hear their plans for the future. HOBY representatives will also have the chance to speak with various representatives from different colleges. The weekend ends with a banquet and show, and parents are invited to attend.