Nicole Petranchuk
ONS Third Grade on Top of the World
Wadeñ nwa’ aweñha
April, 2013
Onondaga Nation-Fifteen dreams have come true and a new record has been set as the ONS Third Grade has become the youngest team of adventurers to summit the world’s tallest Mountain. It was a long journey that started in the classroom. How can you prevent frostbite and what should you do if you get it? What is altitude sickness and can it be deadly? Who are the Sherpas and are they the unsung heroes of Everest? How do you prevent falling into a deep crevasse? Before departing for Katmandu or kicking a crampon into the ice floes of Everest, these students had to know. This learning helped students make life saving decisions each day and return home unscathed.
There were many lesson learned—some quite unexpected. For example, Hugh said, “I learned that apple pie doesn’t cook right at high altitude.” So we ate like the locals to avoid bacteria. Kyler stated that “the most important thing I learned was to listen to other people’s advice.” But as Gage noticed, not all advice is good advice and it is important to know who to trust. As Gus says, “survival is the most important thing.” This might be the best lesson of all.
Without teamwork, none of us might have made it to the top of the world, or even back down. Jonaca sums it up perfectly as she says, “If I had the choice to go solo, I would fail because it’s all about teamwork and I couldn’t do it without my class.” If Meadow had gone by herself she had some questions, “who would be my Sherpa and who will take care of me?” Sydney also stated plainly that “if I fell into a crevasse nobody would be there to pull me up.” Norman, being slightly more optimistic, thinks his only chance of making it alone would be to “carry food, water, gear, a first-aid kit, and a medical journal.” However, we all agree with Payton when she says “I was so lucky my class was there for me.”
Reaching the summit was hardly describable. As Carson pointed out, “the view was beautiful.” But it was much more! “Hallelujah! I made it!” This was all Sydney could think as she reached the summit. “When I made it to the top,” Hayden says, “it was like I was King Kong smashing airplanes!” Emotions showed differently for others. “We were so happy I cried for joy,” said Secorrah. While for Riley, “I was afraid when I got to the top because I’m scared of heights!” Of course, this trip was not simply about reaching the summit, it was about the journey to get there and we have all changed for the better.
We are now adjusting to life back at ONS. We miss the adventure, but love the oxygen and use our lessons each day in the classroom.
Wadeñ nwa’ aweñha
April, 2013
Onondaga Nation-Fifteen dreams have come true and a new record has been set as the ONS Third Grade has become the youngest team of adventurers to summit the world’s tallest Mountain. It was a long journey that started in the classroom. How can you prevent frostbite and what should you do if you get it? What is altitude sickness and can it be deadly? Who are the Sherpas and are they the unsung heroes of Everest? How do you prevent falling into a deep crevasse? Before departing for Katmandu or kicking a crampon into the ice floes of Everest, these students had to know. This learning helped students make life saving decisions each day and return home unscathed.
There were many lesson learned—some quite unexpected. For example, Hugh said, “I learned that apple pie doesn’t cook right at high altitude.” So we ate like the locals to avoid bacteria. Kyler stated that “the most important thing I learned was to listen to other people’s advice.” But as Gage noticed, not all advice is good advice and it is important to know who to trust. As Gus says, “survival is the most important thing.” This might be the best lesson of all.
Without teamwork, none of us might have made it to the top of the world, or even back down. Jonaca sums it up perfectly as she says, “If I had the choice to go solo, I would fail because it’s all about teamwork and I couldn’t do it without my class.” If Meadow had gone by herself she had some questions, “who would be my Sherpa and who will take care of me?” Sydney also stated plainly that “if I fell into a crevasse nobody would be there to pull me up.” Norman, being slightly more optimistic, thinks his only chance of making it alone would be to “carry food, water, gear, a first-aid kit, and a medical journal.” However, we all agree with Payton when she says “I was so lucky my class was there for me.”
Reaching the summit was hardly describable. As Carson pointed out, “the view was beautiful.” But it was much more! “Hallelujah! I made it!” This was all Sydney could think as she reached the summit. “When I made it to the top,” Hayden says, “it was like I was King Kong smashing airplanes!” Emotions showed differently for others. “We were so happy I cried for joy,” said Secorrah. While for Riley, “I was afraid when I got to the top because I’m scared of heights!” Of course, this trip was not simply about reaching the summit, it was about the journey to get there and we have all changed for the better.
We are now adjusting to life back at ONS. We miss the adventure, but love the oxygen and use our lessons each day in the classroom.
