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Two Greenville High School students have been chosen to represent their school at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar in the spring of 2021.

Vivian Gates and Jacob Pryor, both sophomores at GHS, were selected by the school faculty to be part of the nonprofit program created by the actor and humanitarian in 1958. HOBY’s stated mission is “to inspire a global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership.”

Vivian, the daughter of Dale and Cheryl Gates, is a member of several of her school’s scholarship and service honoraries, including the GHS Key Club, National Beta Club and Tri-M Club. She is also a member of the school’s Tiger Pride Marching Band and its symphonic band. The multi-talented student, a long-time veteran of the Greenville Area Arts Council’s Ritz Players, serves as a Tiger TV anchor and is a member of the GHS Theatre Arts Guild. Vivian is also a featured dancer in productions mounted by Susan Andrews’ School of Dance.

Vivian represents her school on the athletic field as a soccer player.

A Conservation Society member, she is also active in her church, New Bethel Baptist, and its youth group. She has attended WorldSong Missions Camp for several years and achieved CIT status with the program.

“Being one of the two GHS students chosen for HOBY’s leadership seminar is an honor and a privilege that I am most thankful for,” Vivian said.

“I’m certain that this workshop will be influential to myself and every other student-leader chosen. I’m definitely looking forward to meeting new people and learning about how I can make a positive impact on my world and those around me.”

Jacob, the son of Chris and Naomi Pryor, is also active in all facets of his school and community. Like Vivian, he is a member of the GHS Tiger Pride Marching Band and has performed in the school’s jazz and symphonic bands as well.

Jacob’s musical accomplishments have earned him Honor Band status at both the University of South Alabama and Auburn University.

At GHS, he has served as a member of SMART (Students Motivated by the Arts) Program and as Key Club treasurer.

Active in the school’s JROTC program, Jacob, an A/B Honor Roll student, has achieved the rank of Cade Sergeant, 1st Class, and served on the Rifle Team, Academic Team and is currently a member of the Drill Team.

He has put his athletic skills to good use on both the soccer field and the basketball court for his school.

A member of the local Boy Scout Troop, Jacob earned the organization’s highest rank last August when he became an Eagle Scout. He currently serves as a Chamber Page for the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I feel like representing my school is not only an honor but a privilege,” Jacob said.

“It is a privilege to have so many teachers at the school choose me and Vivian to be the representatives for HOBY.”

Jacob says he is particularly looking forward to meeting other student-leaders at the conference.

“I would love to meet these new people and maybe learn some leadership skills from them, to help not only me but also help those around me,” Jacob said.

“I would like to say thank you to all of Greenville High School for selecting me and Vivian to be the representatives for our school.”

Each spring, 10,000 high school sophomores from across the country join one of HOBY’s 70 State Leadership Seminars to hone their leadership talents and apply them to become effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace, and community.