John Thune is in the midst of one of the most heated U.S. Senate campaigns in the history of the state this fall, but Friday when he spoke to students at Britton-Hecla School, he took a break from politics and talked about life.

      "If you want to be a person, at the end of the day, who reaches a level of success, I think there are three things that are very important," said Thune, who was speaking as part of the school's Character Counts! Program to students from Britton-Hecla and Roslyn. "It's important to have a commitment to excellence, character, and provide service to others. At the end of the day, that's the measure of true success, not how much money you make."

      A standout athlete at Murdo High School, Thune talked about lessons learned on the basketball floor.

      "It was my lifelong dream to get to the state basketball tournament. My senior year we were playing in the district championship game, and we trailed by a point. I took the last shot with a second to play - and missed," remembered Thune.

      "After the game I was sitting all by myself in the locker room, knowing that was the end of the dream, and feeling like I let my teammates down. But my coach came over to me and said, 'Track starts next week.'"

      Thune said his coach told him he knew he had given his best and left it all out on the court, and it was a lesson he took to heart.

      "The important thing is that whatever God-given abilities you have, give it your best," said Thune. "And feel good about that. You don't always win the game, but in the process, life goes on."

      Thune also urged students to commit themselves to being "a person of character."

      "Character is about the kind of person you are, and that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions," said Thune. "I think being a person of character is more important than anything else. It's what defines you as a person."

      Service was the third point that Thune stressed to students.

      "Helping out other people is what you do to make the world around you better. And being willing to step out of your comfort zone and help others is a sign of true success," added Thune.

      Thune also urged students to play an active role in their future.

      "When you're old enough to vote, take part in that process," he urged. "It's really important to be part of that process.

      He ended his presentation with a question.

      "Everyone here is a role model for younger kids," concluded Thune, "whether you like it or not. The question is what kind of a role model will you be?"