NATCHEZ — Meeting someone just like you in the world is rare.

But when Joseph Harris, 16, went to the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference (HOBY), he found approximately 200 peers with whom he had much in common.

“I feel like I’ll have connections for life from it,” Harris said.

During the school year, high school junior Harris, whose parents are Betty Jo and Todd Harris, plays varsity football at Trinity Episcopal Day School.

Harris is originally from Monroe, La., and moved to Natchez approximately two years ago. During the fall semester of his sophomore year, Harris heard about HOBY from Lisa Allain, Trinity’s guidance counselor.

HOBY allows one student from every Mississippi school, both public and private, to attend every year.

Approximately eight sophomore students at Trinity wrote an essay on leadership.

“Joseph was chosen out of that group,” Allain said.

During the conference, Harris listened to approximately 15 speakers who discussed productive things to do with time and how to lead within school and family environments.

Harris also participated in team-building activities. He was put in a group with approximately 10 people, and Harris said he grew close with them.

“I feel like I’ve been with those people for years,” Harris said.

Together, they broke up into small groups and discussed what the speakers had told them.

Harris also participated in a service project at Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, helping to maintain the grounds.

When the conference ended, Harris returned home, ready to enjoy summer, but also having enjoyed his time at HOBY.

“It was a great experience,” Harris said.

He also said he left with several new friends.

“I still talk to those people every single day,” Harris said.

It’s an experience Harris recommends to everyone.

“It’s just a cool way to meet people and see what the world is like,” Harris said.

While Harris hasn’t decided on a college yet, he’s considering studying finance or engineering.