Our 6th grade students recently finished reading the book Peak by Roland Smith. This realistic fiction novel is about a 14-year-old boy who is given the opportunity to try to become the youngest person to reach the top of Mount Everest. The novel addresses many important issues young adolescents face. Through the literature students explore themes such as courage, honesty, interdependence, change, hope and respect.
The students enjoyed learning about Mount Everest and some of the traditions of the Nepali and Tibetan people. Mrs. Nesbitt, speech teacher and Outing Club Co-Advisor at BCS, arranged for Dr. Manoj Vora from Lowville, NY, to visit with our students via a Google Meet presentation. Mrs. Nesbitt has spoken to Dr. Vora on several occasions through the Adirondack 46ers group. Dr. Vora spoke to the class about his successful climb of Mount Everest on May 22, 2013. Dr. Vora's achievement marked the end of his ten-year quest to climb the seven summits, or the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. Hearing directly from someone who has set and achieved such an impressive goal is a remarkable opportunity.
Prior to the meeting, students were provided with winter hiking/camping equipment to get a better sense of the tools necessary to undertake a climb of this nature. They got to see and try on mountaineering mittens and a jacket that would be essential for climbing Everest as well as crampons and an ice axe. They learned about some of the dangers you face when hiking in extreme weather and had fun imagining themselves climbing in extreme circumstances with the glacier glasses and climbing helmets.
Dr. Vora’s slogan for his climb was, "Inspiring the next generation to dream big". We’re pretty sure some of our 6th graders are thinking about climbs of their own!
Thank you to Mrs. Humiston, Mrs. Nesbitt and Dr. Vora for providing our students with such a memorable day of learning!
