Alex Delikat, 16, son of Kari and Darrell Delikat of Effort, attended the August Western Pocono Women's Club meeting to thank the club for making it possible for him to attend the Pennsylvania East Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) leadership conference held at Temple University June 6-9.

The Pleasant Valley High School junior said the conference was "a life changing experience. It filled me with so much hope because I learned there are more people like me."In the summer of 1958, actor Hugh O'Brian, 33, received an invitation that would change his life. He received a cable from renowned humanitarian and 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Albert Schweitzer who said O'Brian was welcomed to visit him at any time in French Equatorial Africa.O'Brian had long admired the German doctor-missionary-theologian-musician as a great humanitarian who could have done anything he wanted in the world, but was in the middle of Africa taking care of people. Within two weeks O'Brian was on his way, by commercial airliner, bush plane and canoe, to the famed hospital that Schweitzer had founded on the banks of the Ogooue River in Lambarene. The actor spent nine days at the clinic where Schweitzer and volunteer doctors and nurses, working without electricity or running water, cared for patients, including many with leprosy.The doctor was impressed that the young American had taken the trouble to visit him. He shared stories and life lessons with O'Brian each evening. Schweitzer, then 83, was concerned about global peace prospects and was convinced that the United States should take a leadership role in achieving peace. He impressed upon the young O'Brian the urgency for change and how education must teach young people to think for themselves. It was an unforgettable nine days. And, as O'Brian departed, Schweitzer took his hand and asked, "Hugh, what are you going to do with this?" Two weeks after returning from his meeting with Schweitzer, O'Brian put together a prototype seminar for young leaders HOBY.HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving local and international high school students. HOBY programs provide students selected by their schools to participate in unique leadership training, service-learning and motivation-building experiences.HOBY also provides adults with opportunities to make a significant impact on the lives of youth by volunteering. Over 4,000 committed HOBY volunteers plan and execute the programs each year, serving both at the local HOBY affiliate level and on HOBY's board of trustees. Due to the selfless efforts of volunteers and the contributions of generous donors, nearly 10,000 students participate in HOBY programs annually.HOBY alumni are leaders in their schools and communities, throughout the United States and the world, making a difference for others through service.It certainly has made a difference in Alex's life.The one thing that really stood out for him was when a speaker told his personal story about how as a young man he walked up to the then mayor of New York City and asked if he could be his intern. The mayor said, "Why should I hire you?" and the young man said, "Why not me?" That young man went on to become Barack Obama's campaign manager."Why not me? I'll remember that the rest of my life," said Alex.