Academy students heard renowned journalist, Denby Fawcett, speak about her latest accomplishment, a trek up Mount Everest, at a workshop for student leaders on Feb. 19.

Fawcett graduated from Columbia University and has a master’s degree in anthropology. She was one of the first female broadcast journalists reporting about the Vietnam War at the front lines and has been a print as well as on-air journalist.

Fawcett currently writes for the Honolulu Civil Beat. She is a co-author of “War Torn,” a collection of stories about the female journalists who reported on the Vietnam War.

Fawcett spoke to students about her lengthy career as a journalist and her trek up Mount Everest. The difficult trip took 10 days going up and then eight days descending. According to Fawcett, the descent is more dangerous than the ascent.

“The most important thing I learned was that it takes a whole of passion and dedication to accomplish something of such great magnitude. You really must have the determination to achieve it,” said junior Erica Freitas.

In speaking to students, Fawcett focused on the persistence required to accomplish the daunting task of climbing Everest. The idea to hike the world’s highest mountain came from her daughter, a US diplomat posted in Nepal.

Preparation for the trek took months of training and walking almost 26 miles a day around the entire island of Oahu.

“It was a really inspiring presentation because of the determination she had to finish the hike,” said sophomore Alexandria Montiel.

The journey took 18 days to complete, with the hardest part being the hike down from the mountain. She explained the strenuous hike required so much energy that almost all of them within the group lost nearly 10 pounds despite consuming large quantities of chocolate. Another consequence was the loss of muscle mass, which she thought she would not regain.

For students, Fawcett emphasized that whatever the immensity of the task may be, a slow and steady progression will result in achievement. She said it is important not to give up, even if it’s to travel only a step or two at a time. Quoting Confucius, she stressed the necessary willpower to attain anything of significance in life.

“Sometimes when I wanted to give up, I would envision the Dalai Lama telling me, ‘Denby you were meant to do this,’” said Fawcett.

“Her story was truly inspiring and made me question if I have the determination needed to accomplish something like Mount Everest,” said junior Pamela Nishida.

Over 60 school leaders attended and actively participated in the question and answer forum following the presentation.

“The next day when we walked to the top of the mountain where it was smoking, we were so happy, we just wanted to jump up and down and scream,” said Fawcett.