MINOT – John Brown of Civil War notoriety and Sir Ernest Shackleton of South Pole fame had something in common. Trinity Catholic School sixth-grader Jon Tuttle of Minot discovered during a recent week-long leadership conference in Washington, D.C., that while leaders can vary widely in style and cause, they share basic traits.

“I learned that leaders are necessary so that things can get done, and that they are done more efficiently,” said Tuttle after returning home. “And I learned that I’m like a lot of other kids my age, and that I can still be a leader in my own life.”

As one of five students nominated by his fifth-grade teacher Pandora Lawler during the last school year, Tuttle embarked on a leadership journey that started with academic and travel preparations months in advance of the August Junior National Young Leaders Conference.

Although a seasoned traveler, Tuttle had never maneuvered the airport alone. He flew from Portland to Baltimore on his own and stayed at the University of Maryland University College Inn and Conference Center Site while exploring the nation’s nearby capital.

“I was nervous at first, but I got used to it and was fine,” said Tuttle.

Staff from the leadership program worked with Tuttle’s parents to make safe travel arrangements. Throughout the week, staff updated his family through e-mail on daily activities that included a Civil War reenactment at Harper’s Ferry, touring the Capitol building, White House, the high-tech Newseum, the National Portrait Gallery, as well as several national monuments.

Besides daily sight-seeing excursions, Tuttle participated each evening in small debate groups. Students from across the country from grades six to eight examined the leadership traits of character, communication, goal-setting, problem-solving, respect and teamwork. Tuttle’s week began by meeting his focus group members and collectively establishing goals and a group constitution.

Tuttle said his favorite part of the week was touring the monuments and going to the Hard Rock Café. He admitted that the hardest part was having to prepare presentations and debate arguments by the given deadlines.

Throughout the week, Tuttle said that he became more relaxed and gained more confidence. At first, he sought out other students from Maine, but none were in attendance during his session. As a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, he easily spotted others who wore caps similar to his.

“By just starting conversations and being together, I got know to other kids,” said Tuttle, who continues to keep in touch with two students from California. “I didn’t want to leave and stop doing the fun stuff, but at the same time I wanted to come home and see my family.”

Tuttle reflected that the nomination by his teacher surprised and encouraged him. “I guess it means that I have potential as a leader and that I should try to further that to become a better leader.”