Mount Everest, part of the Himalayan mountain range straddling the border of Nepal and Tibet, is the tallest mountain in the world, and only a few can make the claim of having climbed to the top. On Tuesday, August 30, 2016, the 8th grade class gathered together in the Auditorium to listen to someone who can make that claim. In preparation for that meeting, the 8th grade students read No Summit Out of Sight, a tale about the youngest person to climb Mount Everest. Our guest speaker Chris Cannizzaro, isn’t the youngest person to climb Mt. Everest, but he is the only New Orleanian to make it to the top. It all started when Chris was in college. He felt the need to do more with his life, so he decided to set a goal of reaching the highest point on Earth. He started exercising to get into shape, and prepared for the challenge of Everest by first climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Chris also discussed the facts and geography of his climb, explaining the different aspects of the trip. He discussed the different camp levels and the threatening effects of high altitude of the body. He also spoke about his loss of vision for 36 hours and severe frostbite. He urged that no matter what happens on the journey one has has to keep pushing forward with a clear sense of determination, coupled with the perspective to recognize when conditions might be too dangerous to continue. He also showed off his Tibetan certificate for climbing the mountain. He ended by telling the students about his mental anguish in completing his journey to the top and had a Q&A session from faculty and students.
Chris Cannizzaro with 8th grade students and faculty.
