The forum challenged students’ character development by encouraging them to reflect on their own decision-making skills, values and belief systems. Students learned about how to reconcile relationships, stand for truth and love others as they love themselves. The forum’s guiding principle is teaching students to embrace altruism rather than egotism.

Seth is a senior from West Linn, Ore., and is majoring in biological chemistry. Paisley is a senior from Mount Sterling, Ill., and is majoring in psychology. Seth is the president of the Student Government Association at Culver-Stockton, and Paisley is the vice president.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft welcomed students to the forum that was created by his father, former Missouri Governor and 79^th U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. Students began the day having breakfast with Gov. Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion.

Students heard speeches from Rebecca Welsh, founder of , a non-profit organization supporting homeless and at-risk children; John Stroup, minister at  who devotes his life to helping individuals overcome life struggles; Freda Boateng, senior administrative assistant for admissions and financial aid at New York Law School and a freelance poet; Ramesh Balayar, professor of global resources, poverty, sustainable development and environmental sociology at Iowa State University; Bob Priddy, retired news director of Missourinet; Lethia Owens, an author and branding expert; and Missouri state representatives Kevin Windham and Travis Fitzwater.

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