First Grade Figures out the Hard Stuff
April 18, 2024
Mr. Earl Walton, Director of the Ross Roeder Institute, was a guest reader in Mrs. Sheppard's first grade class with a very special book, "The Girl Who Figured It Out: The Inspiring True Story of Wheelchair Athlete Minda Dentler Becoming an Ironman World Champion." Not only did his friend Minda Dentler write the book, she was the main character in the book too! Minda made history when she became the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the world's toughest triathlon, using only her arms to finish a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile marathon.
The uplifting story spotlighted how important it is to "figure it out" when pursuing your dreams. For Minda it was competing as a wheelchair athlete in an Ironman and becoming a champion. For our young students, "it" might be solving hard math problems, communicating their desires on the playground, or competing in sports or the arts. You just have to figure it out!
