Summer Reading Takes La Salle Students to the Top of K2, Almost
By admin
Published: Thursday, July 9th, 2009
La Salle High School has embarked upon a unique summer project for all of its students and faculty. The entire La Salle community will read Greg Mortenson’s book entitled “Three Cups of Tea.” The book is a riveting account of how a failed mountain climbing attempt on K2 serendipitously sparked a remarkably successful program building schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan’s most desolate regions.
“It’s a very inspiring account of how one man can make a difference in this world, promoting peace one school at a time.” says Brian Miller, science department chair and progenitor of this project.
The book is amazing, he says, “and it dramatically tells the story of a man using the principles that are part of our Lasallian culture.” Miller continues by saying the basic idea for the summer project is to provide a common piece of literature that can be used as a speaking point for both students and faculty to use both in and out of the classroom.
Principal Patrick Bonacci, AFSC believes by incorporating this text as a summer reading assignment it will provide a central piece of literature that every student and teacher can reference throughout the year. “Whether we are discussing any number of subjects from our respect for other religions and cultures, economics, politics, patriotism, geography to setting goals and commitments to Service in our community, “Three Cups of Tea” provides an opportunity for everyone to have a common starting point for discussion and understanding.”
Bonacci says the ideals represented by Greg Mortenson with his work in the middle-east parallel the five characteristics of Lasallian schools: The importance of Faith, the value of education, the call to a life of service, respect for all people, and building an inclusive community. “This is an outstanding opportunity for our students to understand the power of a single person who is committed to an idea.”
Leave a Reply
