Students to Join Everest Climb Via Internet STEPOnline.com Launches Historic Expedition
(ARLINGTON, Va.) March 23, 2001 - With the help of students
at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Va., and DEA Administrator Donnie Marshall, STEPOnline.com
today kicked off its Everyone Has An Everest expedition, which will take students nationwide on
a virtual journey to the top of the world with veteran climbers Nancy Feagin and Ben Webster.
"We'll be flying Yorktown High's flag from the summit, and we're inviting schools across the
country to virtually climb in our backpacks and go to the top of the world with us," said
Nancy Feagin, who hopes to become one of only a handful of U.S. women to reach the summit of
Mount Everest.
"We'll be facing challenges on the mountain just as teens face challenges in their daily
lives," said expedition leader Ben Webster. "We want to send the message that if we face
those challenges by setting and pursuing goals, we have the best chance to stay safe, healthy
and succeed."
At www.steponline.com,
students will be able to track
the expedition's progress in real time through live chats with Ben and Nancy, daily dispatches,
streaming video and digital photos. Never before have American students had access to frequent
live Web chats with Mount Everest expedition members from the mountain.
"All of us at Yorktown are excited about the Everyone Has An Everest campaign," said Justin Green,
student body president at Yorktown High School. "We feel like we're a real part of the expedition
and plan to use the Web site to communicate with Ben and Nancy every step of the way."
Educators and parents who visit www.steponline.com will find a series of lesson plans and
education modules that encourage goal setting, teamwork and healthy living and discourage drug
use. Customized educational resources are being provided by The Partnership for a Drug Free A
merica and WILL Interactive, and technical support is being provided by the National Guard and
the Drug Enforcement Administration. Lesson plans and curriculum materials will be distributed
to schools through the USA Today Education network and to all Web site visitors.
"Showing teens what they can accomplish through hard work and healthy choices is an important
part of drug prevention," said Donnie Marshall, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement
Administration. "The DEA is proud to partner with STEPOnline.com for the Everyone Has An
Everest campaign."
