This year’s Reeltown Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Ambassador was none other than junior Maddie Stockdale.
HOBY is a statewide leadership seminar held over the summer for students to learn more about how to be effective leaders in their own way. Each year the Reeltown faculty nominates a student to represent the school in the program.
“I thought it would be a great experience,” Stockdale said of accepting the nomination. “And I thought it would really help me, because I do cheer and softball, and take initiative.”
During the three-day seminar, the ambassadors hear from guest speakers and do team building activities to hone their leadership skills. One of the speakers Stockdale heard from was speaker Timothy Alexander, who discussed how he overcame obstacles since being paralyzed in a car accident.
“I learned that leaders are listeners and people who are also very extroverted are leaders in their own way,” she said. “Some people listen better, and some people talk and take the lead better. And you need to work together to make stuff happen.”
Along with sports, Stockdale is also the SGA president for the junior class and vice president for major office as well as a FCA officer.
After high school, Stockdale wants to go to Auburn University or University of Alabama to become a lawyer in criminology.
