Kaine imparts his views on leadership to students

With Gov. Timothy M. Kaine leading the way, a special group of Virginia students spent yesterday morning in downtown Richmond, engaged in a lively, frank discussion about what makes a good leader.

By the time the session wrapped up, the students knew well what Kaine likes in his leaders. And, thanks to their host, Dominion Resources Chief Executive Thomas F. Farrell II, they also learned what it's like to have money to put behind their ideas.

The talk was the featured event during Dominion's first school-centric inaugural program. Instead of gearing up for the usual assortment of balls and other corporate-level festivities in which Dominion usually participates, Farrell suggested his company adopt a more scholarly agenda.

"We wanted to invest in the future of American democracy, and the best way to do that is to work with students," he said.

The chance to help students better remember the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama was pretty cool, too, he said.

The program featured students from seven schools. Richmond's Henderson Middle and Petersburg's Vernon Johns Junior High were among a group that also included students from Norfolk, Alexandria and Wise County.

In the weeks leading up to the program, the students used Dominion-supplied materials to spur in-school talk of leadership qualities. Yesterday, they put their ideas on display. The money they get -- $5,000 per school district -- will be used to create leadership programs in their schools.

Kaine began by saying he felt a bit nervous in front of such a large crowd, but he showed no signs of unease while telling the students about his relationship with Obama, what he thought about the election and what he thinks are the key qualities of a good leader.

His suggestions for being in charge included ample doses of preparation, persistence and conviction.

"If you're not thinking about others, not willing to put others ahead of you, I don't think you can be a good leader," he said.

The message quickly sunk in with the students. "It's very important we realize we're not back where we were," said Vernon Johns student India Burns. "Anything we think is impossible, it is possible."

"I know I have a purpose and that I should do something with my time," said Henderson student Merci Best.

Henderson Principal Janine Turner said her students had three ideas for their money. They want to create a program to improve teacher peer relationships or peer relationships in general or to find ways to keep students in class.

"They're very comfortable with adults," she said of the 10 students she brought. "You just give them their space, and they figure it out."

Contact Zachary Reid at (804) 775-8179 or .