Building Integrity: High School Students Excel in Winter Ethical Leadership Training

Looking forward to our Spring Session (April 25-26), and Camp Marshall (June 23-26)

Our 2025 high school Ethical Leadership Program kicked off with hope and enthusiasm as 10 bright students traveled from as far as Charles County, MD to participate in a transformative and inspiring session of Five Star Character: The George C. Marshall Ethical Leadership Conference on Friday, February 7, and Saturday, February 8.

The event began Friday evening with a warm welcome reception at Tuscarora Mill restaurant, which included an insightful lecture from a historian Rachel Thompson on Dodona Manor and General Marshall’s legacy of ethical leadership.

Major General (U.S. Army, Ret.) James “Spider” Marks delivered a powerful keynote in which he emphasized General Marshall’s excellent leadership model, while noting that ethical leadership is not a “one-size-fits-all” business. Marks, who has 42 years of leadership in the Army and private industry, emphasized the importance of having a strong moral foundation in place—because you never know when you’ll suddenly need it.

Saturday’s session, hosted at QTS Data Center in Ashburn, featured a dynamic panel discussion, facilitated by Reggie Baker, a retired Navy officer, military diplomat and senior national security advisor; Kerri Kline, President & CEO of Veterans Moving Forward; and Jason Stine, a retired Army officer and entrepreneur. The discussion sparked thoughtful engagement, with students posing insightful questions.

Students then participated in interactive breakout sessions, working collaboratively to brainstorm proposals on nonprofit initiatives that would benefit local communities. Their innovative ideas included a food security initiative for veterans and a literacy program for adult non-English speakers in Loudoun County.

After this fantastic start to the year, we are looking forward to the next ELC on April 25-26 and our special Camp Marshall leadership experience in June – all offered free of charge thanks to our generous donors.

We extend our special gratitude to QTS Data Centers and Marshall Center Board Member Andrew Boardman, an executive at the company, for their invaluable support in making this event possible.