T. R. Mims was selected to represent the sophomore class of Maplesville High School at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar in April. He is pictured in front of the school’s trophy case in the main hallway.(Photo by Steven Calhoun)

By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

T. R. Mims will represent Maplesville High School at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar at Troy University in 2017.

Mims applied for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award to represent the sophomore class at Maplesville. When he won, he was ecstatic.

“I thought it was an opportunity for me to stand out for my class and show that I’m a leader of one of our classes,” said Mims. “I was really excited because I really wanted to be a part of it.”

To be selected for the award, a student must display outstanding communication skills, critical thinking, creative problem solving, strong decision-making skills, sensitivity to the needs of others and a charismatic personality.

The student must also participate in community service activities and be comfortable speaking out for their beliefs.

Administrators at the school believed that Mims showed all of these qualities, so he was selected to represent Maplesville High School at the HOBY Leadership Seminar.

According to the HOBY website, the organization’s mission is to “inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.”

Mims said he hopes to learn how to be a better leader while at the seminar in April.

“I want to apply [these skills] to our class so we can be better prepared for the future,” said Mims.

Mims is a sophomore at Maplesville High School. He plays at right tackle for the varsity football team, where he wears number 74 on his jersey. He said he is also the chapter officer for the Agriculture Department at Maplesville High.

To learn more about HOBY, visit hoby.org.