SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 16 ~ November 25th, 2024

Super Monday Message

Based on recent news one of the Super Monday stories from the 2021-2022 school year needs a follow-up. The story was on Week 9 and it was about George Mallory. Just over 100 years ago in June 1924, George Mallory made his last attempt to summit Mt. Everest. Mallory and his friend, Sandy Irvine, fell to their death on that attempt, but the mystery of whether they were on their way up to the summit or on their way back down has captivated the world's imagination for a long time now. If they were on their way down, they were the first people to summit the world’s highest peak.

The first person that we know for sure summited Mt. Everest was Edmund Hillary and his sherpa (guide) Tenzing Norgay in May 1953. That’s a full 29 years after Mallory and Irvine fell to their death. Even with all the technology and tools we have today, climbing Mt. Everest is a journey for only the most experienced and fit mountaineers. The dangers of such a climb prior to 1953 would have been incredible, but many still attempted it. Lots of people really want to believe that George Mallory made it to the summit of Mt. Everest 29 years before Hillary.

Mallory was a secondary school teacher in England. He had developed a love of climbing in his school days and took many trips to climb. Mallory led three failed attempts to make it to the summit of Mount Everest. In one attempt seven of the sherpas in his group were killed all at once by an avalanche. As Mallory and his group prepared for his last attempt, a reporter asked Mallory “Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?” Mallory responded with the most famous words in mountaineering, “because it’s there.”

This story needs follow-up now because this summer, 100 years after the accident, the National Geographic reported finding the boot of Sandy Irvine (News Article). Mallory’s body was found frozen in ice in 1999 and there was evidence to suggest he was tied with a rope to Irvine when they fell. Irvine is such an important part of this story because he was carrying a camera. If that camera can be found, the film could still be processed and there would be absolute proof of whether or not they made it to the peak. Having found his boot with his foot still in it, the rest of his body and the camera may be close by. The world may be on the brink of closing one of its most interesting mysteries.

Mallory carried a picture of his wife and children on every expedition. He had told his wife he would leave the picture at the summit of the mountain when he made it. The picture was not on Mallory’s well-preserved body when he was found. Mallory’s goggles were also in his pocket and some have suggested that was because they fell during their descent in the evening after reaching the summit.

Whether Mallory and Irvine were successful or not, they have inspired many. Taking on one of the world’s toughest challenges simply “Because it’s there”, has led many to pursue solving near impossible challenges. President Kennedy referenced Mallory’s words as the reason the United States needed to put footprints on the moon, “because it’s there”. Your challenges are waiting and you can do it. Have the best week 16.

Super High Fives

Just a couple of the awesome recent accomplishments that need a big thank you. 

• The biggest of super high fives to all Piute High School athletes, coaches, administrators, and student body officers for winning the 2023-2024 Utah Directors Cup. The directors cup is awarded by the UHSAA and the UIAAA for having the best overall athletic programs. The award is based 40% on team performances at state tournaments, 40% on athlete GPAs, and 20% on school sportsmanship and leadership initiatives. The award is in its 14th year and this is Piute High School’s second time winning the award with the first time being the 2020-2021 school year.
• A super high five to Oscarson Elementary and Principal Fautin for an excellent November focus on patriotism. Each month there is an extra focus on developing quality character with accompanying activities and they are always well done.

Other Super Information

• Latest Elementary Schools Design Draft - Updated!
• Circleville Elementary School Virtual Walkthrough (Draft)
• Winter Sports Calendar - Updated!
• 2024-2025 School District Calendar

Super Weekly Schedule