Lehighton Area High School senior Shyanne Kleintop is looking forward to attending Hugh O Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Pennsylvania East seminar at Temple University in May. However, she needs assistance in order to see her wish fulfilled.

Kleintop was guest speaker at a recent meeting of Lehighton Rotary Club. She discussed her active participation in HOBY an organization whose goal is to help young people make a positive difference in the home, school, workplace, and community. Following her presentation, the club made a $50 investment toward Kleintop s registration fee to attend the upcoming HOBY seminar - an investment in a future community leader."Because of the emphasis that HOBY places on enhancing leadership skills, service, and innovation, our club is proud to present this investment toward your registration fee," said Lehighton Rotary Club President Erica Heery. "We hope that others will step up and do the same."Kleintop is currently soliciting additional investments from individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations in order for her to be able to attend this year s leadership seminar.When Kleintop was in eighth grade, her mother, Kathie Kleintop, suffered a severe stroke. This led to her mother becoming a permanent resident in Weatherwood Nursing Home and Rehab Center in Weatherly, PA. The younger Kleintop resides with her grandmother, Betty Scherer, in Lehighton."My family encourages me to be the best that I can be no matter what gets in my way," said Kleintop. "Since my mother' s stroke, I have become a stronger and more respectful person. Through many experiences, I have become a solid teenage leader."As a high school student, Kleintop is active in National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE), Scholastic Scrimmage, and Stage Crew. She is also currently Student Representative to Lehighton Area School Board.In addition to her high school activities, Kleintop is also active in the community, especially as a Girl Scout. What started out as part of her graduation project, Kleintop continues to volunteer for SHINE After-School Program. Her future plans include attending college to earn a degree in biochemistry.According to Kleintop, "during my sophomore year, the HOBY alumni team helped make my experience fantastic. Last year, I helped the ambassadors learn leadership skills and encouraged them to be the change they wanted to see in their communities. This year, I would like to make the ambassadors experience awe-inspiring!"To make an investment toward Kleintop's registration fee to attend the upcoming HOBY seminar as she works toward becoming a future community leader, contact LAHS Assistant Principal Daniel Repsher at (610) 377-6180 or

DRepsher@lehighton.org.HOBY was founded in 1958 by veteran actor Hugh O Brian, known to a generation of television viewers as the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp.Following a life-changing visit with doctor-missionary-theologian-musician Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Africa, O Brian launched his organization with the vision to provide lifelong leadership development opportunities that empower individuals to achieve their highest potential. He set out to help young people make a difference and become positive catalysts for change in the home, school, workplace, and community. Today, HOBY is respected worldwide for its youth leadership programs boasting more than 375,000 alumni.For more information about Hugh O Brian Youth Leadership, visit

www.HOBY.org.Rotary International is the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 34,000 clubs worldwide. Rotarians are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto "Service Above Self."Rotary Club of Lehighton meets Mondays from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Beacon 443 Diner / Restaurant. Prospective new members are invited and encouraged to attend.For more information, call (610) 377-9706, e-mail

LehightonRotary@yahoo.com, or visit

www.Rotary.org.