By Salina Kilmer
Dragon Echo Staff
Paul Smith, a local business and community leader, visited Nacogdoches High School Thursday to meet
with the student leadership council about how to be a leader. Smith started by asking the students for examples of different leaders in the world and their characteristics. Examples included MLK, Oprah and George Washington, and the traits students listed included strong, smart, fair, open-minded and being a good listener.
Smith said leaders don’t all look alike, and all leaders have different attributes. He said there are challenges to being a leader, and being a leader isn’t easy.
Smith shared thoughts with the students about how to become stronger as leaders. He encouraged them to write down four things they are grateful for every day.
“Trust each other,” he said. “Don’t be afraid, and don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t forget to believe in yourself and have confidence in yourself. Think of living your life free. Don’t underestimate your friends because they helped you get here.”
Smith told the students that they are responsible for their own happiness, and to care more about others than themselves.
“Believe in miracles,” he said.
Sophomore Courtney Roberts, who attended the event as a student leader, said she learned about the importance of leadership and taking control of your life while listening to Smith.
“We are in control of our own destiny,” she said. “I enjoyed his 10 points at the end of his speech, about what to do in life to stay positive and in control.”
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