McKay students learn to keep climbing until they reach their goals

BOSTON - Wendy Booker, a woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) who is on a mission to climb the world's Seven Summits (the highest mountain on each continent), recently visited a class of fourth grade students at the Donald McKay K-8 School in East Boston to deliver an inspiring message about hard work and success. This is the first in a series of three visits Ms. Booker will make to the school as she prepares to climb Argentina's Mt. Aconcagua this winter.

The students had been preparing for weeks for this visit by studying multiple sclerosis, mountain climbing, and geography as well as working on their note taking and interviewing skills. Ms. Booker talked to the class about how she became involved in climbing and shared stories and photos from her climb up Mt. McKinley. The students had prepared questions for Ms. Booker ranging from how it feels to have MS to what types of animals she has seen on her climbs in different parts of the world. Ms. Booker also asked some questions herself, giving the students a chance to demonstrate their knowledge of glaciers, mountain climbing and world geography.

"Pairing this fourth grade class up with Ms. Booker is a wonderful opportunity to engage students in learning about geography, science and cultures around the world," said McKay principal Almi Abeyta. "It is also an opportunity to teach them a valuable lesson about pursing their dreams and overcoming challenges in life. They were thrilled to meet Ms. Booker in person and are looking forward to her next visit."

Ms. Booker will return again on December 6 and 18 before heading to Argentina to climb Mt. Aconcagua in January. She plans to call in to the class via satellite phone a few times a week during her climb, updating the students on her progress and answering their questions.

Wendy Booker, a single mother of three, was first diagnosed with MS in 1998. After receiving her diagnosis, Booker, already a casual runner, became a more serious runner and soon after that, a mountain and ice climber. She reached the summit of Mt. McKinley (Denali, Alaska) in 2004 and then completed climbs up Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa) in 2005 and Mt. Elbrus (Russia) in 2006. For more information visit www.wendybooker.net.

The McKay School, located in East Boston serves approximately 550 Kindergarten through grade 8 students.

The Boston Public Schools serves approximately 57,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 14