The senior class met with General Colin Powell in his office in Alexandria, VA.

General Powell’s laid back demeanor and candor made the students feel at ease during their hour-long discussion of his life, politics, and the Iraq War.

He urged the students to “perform” in all that they do, saying, “if you do the best you can, you’ll develop a reputation, and get something even better.” General Powell credits his own success with his ability to perform and deliver with each job he’s been given.

General Powell also emphasized the need for restoration of family and recommitment to excellence. He told the scholars, “We have a lot of youngsters who will never get to where you are because they get lost along the way.” While K-12 schools need great improvement, the problems occur long before the children get to kindergarten, he said.

General Powell also mentioned that no matter where he has gone and what other political systems he has encountered, he maintains that our system of democratic governance and free market economy is better. While our country has its blemishes, he said the founding fathers knew the country would need to grow and change, quoting our 3rd President Thomas Jefferson saying, “You can’t expect the clothes of the boy to fit the man,” but General Powell said “they left a design for the clothes, our Constitution.”

General Powell also told the students that “a lot of things will go wrong….shake off disappointment and failure, don’t allow it to diminish you.” Additionally, he said, “Don’t let what people might think of you affect you…it’s their problem, not yours.”

General Powell served as the 65th US Secretary of State, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and National Security Advisor. Over the course of his 35 year career in the Army, General Powell earned numerous awards including the Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Service Medal. General Powell also served as chairman for America’s Promise, chairman for the Eisenhower Fellowship Program, and as an advisory Board Member of the Children’s Health Fund.

General Powell’s strong values and commitment to excellence have given him the opportunity to courageously serve his country and in turn inspire the next generation of great leaders.