Making the most of life in the most unappealing situations is not an easy feat, but that is exactly what inspirational speaker Josh Sundquist has done. On Friday, he shared his philosophy on life with the student bodies of both Bismarck High School and Century High School.

"He seemed to relate to all the students present," Bismarck High School English teacher Annie McKenzie said. "I've never been at an assembly where students laughed at the same time and were quiet at the same and were totally engaged the entire time. And they definitely did that today."

Sundquist went from a totally functional nine-year-old who dreamed of being a great soccer player to a boy who was suffering from cancer. As a result of his disease, his left leg was amputated, but he has not let this experience bring him down. He has had to realize new dreams, and has in the process made some amazing accomplishments.

"I learned that life is tough and that life is beautiful, and although you might find yourself in a tough situation, you should always make the best of it," said Alaa Koleilat, BHS student council president.

In the beginning of his speech, Sundquist says nothing about his obvious disability. Instead he began by talking about some great experiences that he has had in life. In these situations he chose to not let his lack of a left leg bring him down or even affect him at all. When something discouraging would happen to him, he would just get up and finish the race, literally. Sundquist was named to the United States Paralympic Ski Team, after discouraging races where he took last place after last place, but chose to pick himself up and keep on going.

"He basically lives life to the fullest and makes the most of his situation and that takes a lot of courage," Koleilat said.

Sundquist's visits to the two Bismarck schools were an obvious roaring success as standing ovations followed his speech at Bismarck High School. He was not the conventional speaker - he finished his presentation with his own rendition of the Tom Petty song "Free Falling," backed by his own ukulele playing.

"Ithink the one way to get teens really involves is to make us laugh, and he accomplished that," Koleilat said. "With that he was able to get his message across a little more clearly."

"A Leg Up" is the title of Sundquist's book that compiled all the stories that he uses in his motivational talks, plus many more. He uses different life experiences to move students to the same conclusion that he has come to: Life is tough and life is beautiful.

"It was just a positive message," McKenzie said.

Sundquist has not let the loss of his leg to cancer rule his life and encouraged everyone to not let their own individual disabilities bring them down.

(Kay Kemmet can be reached at kay.kemmet@;bismarcktribune.com or at 250-8260.)