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First Posted: 3/18/2012 Three Wyoming Valley West seniors used their researching and writing skills to compose winning essays for the Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council contest held in February. &amp;#8226; Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council is comprised of leaders from the Protestant, Catholic and Jewish faiths aiming to strengthen their communities by addressing social issues. &amp;#8226; The students were among 16 participants who wrote essays on the topic of "Reframing Compassion: A Practical Approach".
They had to define what compassionate leadership is; show how a business or politician can implement compassionate leadership; and show an example of compassionate leadership. Participants had to be in high school or college, up to age 22. The winners received $150 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third.
Students eagerly took on the challenge writing insightful essays using examples such as local businessman, Dr. Joseph Mattioli and his charitable nature, to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his compassion and leadership during the Civil Rights Movement.
The winners are, Sean Sedor, 18, of Larksville, first place; Evan Amendola, 18, Kingston, second place; and Veronica Zimmerman, 18, third place. Winners were all honored at a ceremony on February 26, in St. Stephen's Episcopal Pro-Cathedral, S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre.
The students' names were removed from the essays and judged anonymously by judges, Andita Parker-Lloyd, Chaplain Marianne Sailus, John Heinz Rehabilitation, Wilkes-Barre Township, and the Rev. John Hartman, rector, Grace Episcopal Church, Kingston.
The students were encouraged to participate in the contest as a side enrichment activity suggest by their English teacher, Thomas Griffiths.
"We try to encourage the students to be active and practice a skill," Griffiths said.
He was impressed by the diversity of ideas and selection of examples the students chose.
The topic was chosen as a way to trigger students to think about the possibilities and to examine the characteristics of leadership and compassion from a different angle, said Rabbi Roger Lerner, of the Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council.
"We wanted to show the students that they have the power; they can do something about it other than complaining about it," Rabbi Lerner said. 
Here are their essays:
<hl2 class="subhead" style="subhead">Leadership in the World: Past, Present, and Future By Sean Sedor</hl2>
When someone goes to the website Mapquest and types in a destination, there are often many ways people can choose to get from where they are to where they want to be. Leadership is similar in many requests. There is a goal in mind, but a leader can choose to get to that goal in any number of ways. 
The pages of history books are full of stories of those leaders, some famous, some known as bad or infamous, with familiar names such as Julius Caesar, Jesus, Napoleon, Buddha, Mohamed, Queen Elizabeth, George Washington, John F. Kennedy, Gandhi, and more. Some were strong and forceful. Others were quiet and determined. Some used war while others preferred peace. Each had their own approach, showing there are as many ways to lead as there are leaders. 
However, at a time when so much of the world is struck by war, disaster, and the stark contrast between haves and have nots, now more than ever, the world needs the approach known as compassionate leadership. Compassionate leadership guided people by focusing, as some would say, as much on the heart as on the head. Compassionate leadership, similar to all forms of leadership, certainly involves reaching goals. However it combines that drive with a deep respect for each individual and the unique gifts they bring and with an ability to inspire them to use those gifts and rise above the challenges. 
Compassionate leadership is something needed desperately today in schools, business, and government.
Compassionate leadership involves focusing on assisting others and helping them discover their gifts and strengths. It could and should start small with students in our schools. 
For example, learning to climb a rope ladder and to do "the shuffle" were among the small things a group of high school juniors did last summer at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp at Keystone College. While those things seem small, and don't seem, by themselves, to have a lot to do with leadership, they made a big impact. The students were having fun, learning about each other, and how to work together to make a positive change. No one was forcing them; and no one was dictating the methods they would use. The compassionate leaders developed the program so that each individual would contribute their own gift. And, they were having so much fun in the process, reaching the goal set out seemed not only possible, but easy! 
The same logic that worked to teach high school students to work together toward goals and to bring about positive change in the community is something we need to see more of in the workplace and in our political leadership as well.
The economic troubles of the past few years have left so very many people in a position they never expected to be in. Many have lost their jobs, and some have become homeless overnight. The "Occupy Wall Street" movement was the outward symbols of what so many were feeling about the lack of compassionate leadership in business. The days when companies seemed to care about employees and about the communities they call home have been lost in the drive for greater and greater profits. The call is loud today for corporate and business leaders who combine ethics and caring with business skills. 
The success of entrepreneurial international corporations like Tom's shoes show that there is a way to combine the successful business with building success for people and communities. Northeastern Pennsylvania has many such examples, including Dr. Joseph Mattioli. Mattioli, owner of Pocono Raceways, was noted for the millions he gave to community causes, hospitals, schools and more! These examples show how compassionate leadership can lead to success, for both business leaders and political leaders.
Just as their are examples of business leaders who stand out, there are many political leaders whose lead with compassion in the past laid the groundwork and set the standard that leaders today can and should follow. A particular name that comes to mind is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a man that urged that anyone could become successful by being compassionate. As he said, "Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."
Dr. King showed on many occasions what it meant to be a compassionate leader. He always urged against violence, pushing for more peaceful ways to win rights for African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. His example showed that it can be done. It is up to each individual to work to see that it is done.
Just as people are taught about reading, math and science, they should be taught to use their gifts and talents certainly to make a career, but also to make a better life for themselves, for their community and for the world. The old saying that in business people have to think with their head and putting their heart aside couldn't be more wrong. And the idea that political leadership is just about strength with emphasizing compassion has not proven to be the most effective throughout history. True Leadership is just as much about listening as it is talking. It is as much about helping other people to do things as it is doing them by themselves. It is as much about having fun along the way as it is about working hard. Compassionate leadership is how this generation will make the world a better place for the next generation
<hl2 class="subhead" style="subhead">Reframing Compassion: A Practical Approach By Evan Amendola</hl2>
In The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli stated that it is "better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both." However, perhaps a more accurate sentiment would be that, above all else, it is important to be respected. Fear is, after all, a short-term motivator at best. If the people are still concerned for their safety after doing good work, there is little incentive to continue to uphold that standard.
 Indeed, the individuals held up as ideal human beings were those who managed to be strong while maintaining a high standard of compassion. A truly, wholly altruistic person is as rare as one who is rotten to the core, but, just as scourges like Adolf Hitler had a profound impact on life as we know it, so, too, did the few who were willing to devote their lives to the betterment of the species. Men and women given the virtue of compassionate leadership are capable of changing the course of history in truly radical ways.
Of course, the term "compassionate leadership" comes in two parts. Sheer selflessness, though a tremendously powerful tool, is not worth nearly as much on its own as it is when coupled with great intelligence and resolve. A compassionate leader is someone who is possessed of a genuine desire to help others, as well as the charisma, dedication, and proactive nature to put it to good use.
 For instance, the nonviolent protests held by Martin Luther King, Jr. are a perfect example of this sort of leadership. Due to his goodwill, he endured thirty arrests for the sake of the Civil Rights movement and, in the process, ignited a sense of empathy in an otherwise aloof nation. However, there was also a sense of underlying strategy to his methods. When faced with images of police officers relentlessly beating down people who were neither willing nor able to fight back, America was forced to accept the harsh realities of racism.
This is the sort of intelligence that keeps leaders successful without having them sacrifice their empathy. Being a compassionate leader is by no means an easy feat; it takes true innovation, intellect, and determination to achieve. However, there are examples living among us right this very second. Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, is involved in and has created numerous philanthropic organizations to which he can give such significant support due to his outstanding financial success. Without the revolutionary technology produced by Microsoft, Bill Gates would have been in no position to do the things that he has done. This is proof that there is no one "correct" way to lead through compassion. Where Martin Luther King, Jr. was someone who was given a position of leadership due to his incredible compassion and intelligence, Bill Gates first rose to a seat of tremendous power and, in direct defiance of the phrase "Absolute power corrupts absolutely", used that power to do tremendous good for the world.
That being said, it is entirely possible to provide a model for "compassionate leadership," although there are many methods of reaching that plateau. Compassionate leadership is the idea of being intelligent, pragmatic, and logical without losing sight of one's empathy. "Logic" and "compassion" are too-often thought of as being mutually exclusive. The most logical course of action is nothing more than that which will most efficiently achieve the desired result. Therefore, it is entirely possible to be calculating and logical while still striving for the betterment of mankind. For example, there will inevitably come a time when a General must sacrifice troops to win a conflict. A compassionate leader is one who minimizes the casualties while ensuring, above all else, the safety of civilians both back home and wherever they may be fighting.
Compassionate leadership is certainly a difficult goal to strive for. Those who follow this dream will surely be faced with tremendous hardships, and, above all else, the most important factor is relentless, staunch resolution in the face of those hurdles. Through pure dedication to their cause, a compassionate leader can change the world in amazing ways, impact the course of society and wars, and bring innovation to fields desperately in need of advancement. Due to the difficulty of balancing on such a precarious pedestal, few can lay claim to the title of "compassionate leader," but whenever one shows up, humanity is sure to benefit.
<hl2 class="subhead" style="subhead">Compassionate leadership By Veronica Zimmerman</hl2>
Compassionate leadership is a rare trait to see in a powerful position. When thinking of politicians or businesses, egotistical bigots come to mind, cutting corners in order to make a profit on the side. However, great leadership does exist in ancient and recent history. These people will pour their hearts into their work and not only desire success in a business or themselves but also other people. They are able to think about the big picture and plan what will help today as well as tomorrow.
 Great leaders know there are no quick, easy fixes and are able to take a hit if it means an entire country will benefit in the future. One person that fits all of these criteria is the 32nd president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. This is seen as he reacted and planned for one of the United States of America's greatest hardships, the Great Depression.
Beginning his presidency during a great struggle for America, Roosevelt provided hope and "helped the American people regain faith in themselves." He proved to be a very relatable president due to being afflicted with polio as a young man, rendering his legs useless. However, he fought a losing battle to reclaim the use of his legs by doing exercises. 
This one detail in this president's life allows the average man to relate as he overcomes his own hardships; it shows the general population that the president is not superhuman and that he does have his own weaknesses. Also, Roosevelt's fireside chats on the radio allowed him to connect with his people like no other president before him. He provided a casual setting, but also provided the common man with the country's status that otherwise might not have been revealed.
 Roosevelt won the votes of people during a difficult time as he promised a lot of changes for America, but not only did he talk of these ideas, he actually made them happen. "In his first &amp;#8216;hundred days,' he proposed &amp;#8230; a sweeping program to bring recovery to business and agriculture, relief to the unemployed&amp;#8230; and reform." Roosevelt utilized the fundamentals of a compassionate leader as his popularity among the wealthy plummeted, and he continued with his plans in order to aid the majority of the country. He continued to tax the rich in order to provide benefits to the needy, such as Social Security which is still used today. It allows people to survive financially no matter what struggles they may have. Roosevelt's sharp wit and smart choices for his country are present in his later term as well.
Roosevelt knew that the United States of America had just come out of a war and was not ready to fight again; however, although he kept his men out of the battles, he knew where he could benefit and aided attacked countries that were in need of supplies. He did know when war was the answer and that is seen when America was directly threatened by Japan at Pearl Harbor; Roosevelt immediately reacted and declared war. A strong leader realizes that peace is the ultimate objective and that is exactly what Roosevelt aimed to achieve, "feeling that the future peace of the world would depend upon relations &amp;#8230; [so] he devoted much thought to the planning of a United Nations." This shows his dedication to his country and also the entire world, hoping to be able to maintain peace between countries despite obvious differences. 
Roosevelt proves to be a compassionate leader during his presidency due to his inspiring ideas that are still implemented today. He was devoted to his country and kept all promises that he made to his people which created trust among them. His leadership skills outweigh all others as he led his country with his heart and did not allow popularity to blind his desires to better the country. 
This type of leader is seen not only in a politician, such as Roosevelt himself, but also in a business because it is one thing to be successful financially but it is another, highly important point to be successful among the common people. Franklin D. Roosevelt managed that by remaining true to himself while leading passionately, which should be seen in all leaders because power of any sort does not mean royalty; it means bettering yourself and a whole population.

Three Wyoming Valley West seniors used their researching and writing skills to compose winning essays for the Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council contest held in February. • Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council is comprised of leaders from the Protestant