Colin Powell Visits the Tuckahoe School District in Southampton

Colin Powell‘s recent visit to the Hamptons hasn’t been all about partying at Apollo in the Hamptons and dancing with Jamie Foxx. The retired four-star general, Hamptons homeowner and former Secretary of State also paid a visit to the Tuckahoe School and spoke with students on Tuesday.

According to Tuckahoe School Board minutes, Powell was asked to speak at the school’s 2013 graduation in June, but he declined and instead offered to visit in August.

Following a half-hour talk on Tuesday, Powell fielded questions from about 35 current and former students, 27east reports. He shared advice on the importance education, working hard and finding something you are passionate about, and told the audience about his life growing up in Harlem and his military service.

Students asked questions about his family life, his career and finding “success as a person of color.” Though many of the kids had never heard of Powell before his visit, the students told 27east.com that they were impressed by the former Secretary of State and found his story interesting.

Following the Q&A session, Powell posed for pictures with all the students and Tuckahoe School Board president Robert Grisnik led the kids in a salute of their esteemed guest. Before he left, Powell said he enjoyed the visit and noted that Tuckahoe appears committed to providing a quality education and creating a society of graduates—something that is very important to him and his wife Alma Vivian Powell.