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This teacher ran the Appalachian Trail. Now, he's giving his students a lesson in perseverance

Posted at 10:00 AM, Aug 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-24 10:00:04-04

CINCINNATI -- Harvey Lewis didn’t have an easy time running the Appalachian Trail; over the 2,200-mile course, he fell over 100 times, sustained three serious injuires and blew through seven pair of shoes. 

But he finished. Lewis completed the journey in 49 days and 15 hours, and now he’s passing his lessons learned on the trail to his students at the School for Creative and Performing Arts.

“A big one is appreciating the planet and having a connection to it, definitely with conservation,” Lewis said. “The other aspect would be perseverance.” 

One of Lewis’ students, Thea Huffman, designed the van Lewis took to the start of the trail. The 17-year-old senior said Lewis has inspired her to relentlessly pursue her goals. 

“I think that’s what Mr. Lewis mostly teaches -- you can do anything as long as you push yourself to do it,” Huffman said. 

At the end of the day, Lewis said he just hopes his students feel empowered. 

“I hope that every one of my students feels … that they can do whatever they dream and that it’s possible and not to give up,” Lewis said.