"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." "Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground."

    These statements come from one of America's most dynamic presidents, so interesting that his face was included on the Mt. Rushmore Monument in South Dakota along with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln.

    He is Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), 26th President of the United States.

    He was a sickly child, prevented from normal activities by asthma. Undaunted, he decided to be active, and regained his health. Ultimately, he became a famous outdoorsman, soldier, and statesman.

    Many of young Teddy's early experiences involved nature, from doing taxidermy on animals he had killed to hiking in the Alps with his father. He was enthusiastic about physical exercise, and took up boxing as a sport. Much of this was inspired by his father, and by the biographies of courageous men.

    He was home-schooled, and at 18 entered Harvard University, where his father advised him, "Take care of your morals first, your health next, and finally your studies."

    At 40 he was instrumental in forming a cavalry regiment to fight in Cuba in the Spanish American War. This group became known as the "Rough Riders," and this fame--along with his previous political experience--helped him get elected as governor of New York State. He was subsequently vice president, and then president.

    Roosevelt was also a prodigious writer, penning no fewer than 18 books amidst all his other activities, mainly on outdoor topics, as he was an avid hunter and traveler.

    On one trip, someone tied a black bear to a tree so "TR" could shoot him. He refused, and a clever toy maker capitalized on the incident by creating a stuffed animal we are all familiar with: the Teddy bear.

    Because of his interest in conservation, Roosevelt created the United States Forest Service, five national parks, 18 new national monuments, 51 bird reserves, four game preserves, and 150 national forests.

    Vocabulary: Which word above means:

    1. of a remarkable size or extent

    2. energetic, very active

    3. hunter, fisherman, or other person who enjoys activities in nature

    4. enthusiastic, keen

    5. preserving and protecting nature

    6. art of stuffing and mounting dead animals to look lifelike

    7. took advantage of

    8. a disease of the lungs

    9. not discouraged

    10. a group of soldiers on horses

    ANSWERS: 1. prodigious 2. dynamic 3. outdoorsman 4. avid 5. conservation 6. taxidermy 7. capitalized on 8. asthma 9. undaunted 10. cavalry regiment