Molly Ballard is flanked by her brother Mason Ballard (left) and Rotarian Chet Marshall.

Molly Ballard explains some of her souvenirs of the recent WLC in Chicago. Lindsey M. Adkins (Edgewood Productions, Hurricane) is the guest of Rotarian David Williams.

August 9, 2011

Two months ago Putnam Rotary awarded a grant to Poca sophomore Molly Ballard to cover some of her expenses in attending the Hugh O'Brian Youth World Leadership Congress (July 23-30) in Chicago.

Today the "Remarkable Miss Molly" returned to report on her adventure, and thank the local club for their help.

She met other "HOBY ambassadors" -- over 400 in all -- from every state and eleven foreign countries.

"We were divided into 35 small groups of about 12 each," she said. "In my group there were ambassadors from Mexico, Taiwan and South Korea; and states including New Jersey, Texas, Arizona and New York.

"Each morning at WLC felt a little like Christmas morning: we would open our doors to notes written to us by our HOBY 'Daddy,' a two-page newsletter compiled overnight and a freshly washed t-shirt to wear that day."

In Loyola Chicago's Mundelein Hall they heard speakers and panelists on topics ranging from religion to goal-setting and leadership.

"One day was spent in downtown Chicago where we visited the Field Museum, the Bean, and Grant Park to listen to an orchestra while dining on some famous deep-dish Chicago pizza.

"Another day was committed to community service projects.

"Our week ended on the breathtaking Navy Pier in the Grand Ballroom where Hugh O'Brian himself made a surprise appearance to top off an already outstanding week.

"Thank you for your support and contribution to the greatest week of my life. I have learned skills that I plan to implement in my own school and community."

Molly was escorted to the Rotary meeting today by her brother Mason, who in his turn had been assisted by Rotary as a HOBY ambassador two years ago.