A Boy on a Mission by Evan

A Boy on a Mission by Evan - October 2020 Scholarship Essay

With the ongoing pandemic going on, I've found myself reading more often. By far the best book I read this year was “No Summit out of Sight: The True Story of the Youngest Person to Climb the Seven Summits”, by Jordan Romero. This book is a biography that truly captures Jordan’s journey to becoming the youngest person to climb all seven summits. These seven summits are Denali of North America, Aconcagua of South America, Vinson of Antarctica, Elbrus of Europe, Kilimanjaro of Africa, Kosciusko of Australia, and Everest of Asia. If you have not checked out this book, I highly recommend it. At first, I read this book because I’m interested in climbing and Everest but, as I read, I learned that there is a lot more to the book besides climbing. It's about silencing the haters and realizing your potential.

During every point of Jordan’s journey, his determination is relentless. Whilst reading this book, I couldn’t help but get the feeling of determination wearing off on me from the hard times that Jordan pushed through. This book left me with a positive mindset and the feeling that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

I chose this book because Jordan has inspired me greatly and I believe people need to acknowledge his sheer will to succeed. I've learned to move on and motivate myself to be a better person. Not only did this book provide me with a great story but it encouraged me to tackle goals I never imagined I complete and start some new ones. For instance, shortly after I read this book, I felt the need to start working out to get myself into a better physical and mental state (which was one of my goals for a long time). I have now been working out daily and have never felt better, physically, and mentally, than ever before. Being in a better mental state has allowed me to focus better on school and increase my scores. I feel that my weaknesses are slowly diminishing the more I believe in myself. I have new goals I’m yet to finish involving sports and school. I'm prepared to keep the same mindset as Jordan and become an even better version of myself.

One of the most important parts of the book for me is at the beginning. Jordan, who was a fourth-grader at this time, sets his goals of climbing the seven summits and never looks back. For what probably seemed like forever, Jordan trained and researched for all of the summits. I remember one part in particular when he is getting permits to climb Aconcagua in South America, everyone was laughing at Jordan for even trying. Jordan let the hate fuel him and shortly after, he became the youngest person to climb Aconcagua at eleven years old. Nothing was going to stop Jordan from making his dreams come true, it was clear that he was a boy on a mission.

Jordan’s remarkable story has easily become one of my favorite books of all time and has enabled me to blossom into a better and healthier person. To me, this book will forever be a turning point in my life for the better.