Don Tocco Programs
Youth Enrichment Series – Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program – Tocco Challenge
Youth Enrichment Series
The Youth Enrichment Series (YES) was developed and initiated in 1988, after an elementary school principal heard a presentation to high school students by Don Tocco. Her idea was quite simple, yet profound: teach younger students the same character and success building principles. The five session YES program is specifically targeted toward fourth grade (and applicable to 4th through 7th grade) students, who according to child psychologists, are at a critical point in their lives. At this age, children are shaping important beliefs about who they are and what they will become as adults.
YES specifically teaches students unchanging principles, methods and strategies about becoming stronger individuals by helping to raise their level of enthusiasm toward learning. YES reinforces what teachers and parents consider vital instruction to improve attitude and overall cooperation. Students are taught how to become goal setters. They learn the power of persistence in all important endeavors and are shown how to take bold steps toward developing their full potential.
Participating Schools
- Bingham Farms Elementary – Birmingham, MI
- Cranbrook Schools
- Brookside Elementary -Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Elizabeth Little Elementary – Warren, MI
- Edison Elementary – Madison Hgts., MI
- Faith Christian Academy – Detroit, MI
- Greenfield Elementary (2x) – Birmingham, MI
- Halfman Elementary – Madison Hgts., MI
- Hatherly Elementary – Sterling Hgts., MI
- Heritage Elementary – Santa Ana, CA
- Hillsdale Academy – Hillsdale, MI
- Kenbrook Elementary – Farmington Hills, MI
- Morse Elementary (3x) – Troy, MI
- Parker Elementary – Royal Oak, MI
- Peck Elementary – Warren, MI
- Quarton Elementary (2x) – Birmingham, MI
- Schoenhals Elementary – Madison Hgts., MI
- St. Hugo Elementary (3x) – Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Warren G. Harding Elementary (2x) – Warren, MI
- Wass Elementary – Troy, MI
- Westwood Elementary – Warren, MI
Click here to download evaluation pdf.
HOBY: Hugh O’brian youth leadership program
Don Tocco’s involvement with HOBY began in 1987 when he was invited to present the keynote address at the organization’s annual, national seminar, the World Leadership Congress (WLC). His presentation was well received by Hugh, the HOBY staff, and especially the young leaders. Don returned to present the keynote address at the WLC for 23 years in a row and has received thousands of letters, cards and emails from students filled with their life-changing stories and expressions of gratitude and appreciation. In addition to his speeches, Don has donated and raised over a million dollars on behalf of this organization, making HOBY one of the most important causes in his own life.
Dr. Albert Schweitzer –
photo provided by the German Federal Archive
More About HOBY
The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) was founded in 1958 by Hugh O’Brian, actor and star of the popular television series, Wyatt Earp. Mr. O’Brian was invited to visit Nobel laureate Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Lambaréné, West Africa. He spent nine days talking and working side by side with the doctor considered by many to be the preeminent humanitarian of the 20th century.
By age 30, Dr. Schweitzer had earned four doctorate degrees from Strasbourg University in medicine, musicology, philosophy, and theology. His passion to serve his fellow man led him to the jungles of West Africa where he established a missionary outreach that included a hospital to care for the local natives. Some reports say over one million people were treated at his clinic.
During their visit, Dr. Schweitzer told O’Brian, “America is the point of light, and it is imperative that young leaders be developed there, to take on the challenges of the future. The most important thing these young folks can be taught is to learn how to think for themselves. This training should focus on high school sophomores who have the energy and the desire to help others, and take on important leadership roles.”
Hugh responded by establishing HOBY, which now has alumni from over 10,000 high schools across America and student leaders from over 70 countries. More than 375,000 young leaders can now claim they are HOBY Ambassadors!
Burning Desire : Constructing Your Own Success DVD
Tocco Sports Challenge – Hillsdale College
Created to fund projects at Hillsdale College and inspire excellence, the Tocco Challenge is an annual competition between Don Tocco and Hillsdale College athletes in a series of events that include basketball, baseball, football and tennis.
2012 marked the 10th year that Tocco competed against some of Hillsdale’s best Division II athletes. Each athlete selected to compete against Don participated in their specialty sport and represented a different campus organization. Each campus organization received a portion of Tocco’s $25,000 donation with the designated amount determined by the performance of their representative athlete.
Don competed head to head in each scored event against a student athlete. At stake for him: a trophy and bragging rights if he managed to beat the students’ combined total score. For eight out of ten years, this business leader earned that trophy while also demonstrating how maintaining a healthy body and competitive spirit contributes to a full and vital life.
Presentation to The Charger Football Team – Kicking Off Their Championship Season – “A Winning Season – A Victorious Life”
2009 Tocco Sports Challenge at Hillsdale College
