Mavericks of 2006, From South Park to Sarah Silverman

Dec. 26, 2006 — -- Among the people profiled on "Nightline" in 2006 were those who achieved notoriety and success, ignited controversy and garnered our attention. We've compiled the best of the bunch in our special "The Year of the Maverick," airing tonight.

Ann Cooper of Berkeley, Calif., is an innovator among school lunch ladies. Cooper, whose official title is nutrition service director, tries to change the diet of American schoolchildren one school at a time. She challenges the daily student lunch menu and incorporates healthful food standards into daily meal service by working 10 hours a day trying to improve the daily nutrition of young Americans.

We then move down to South America where American teens with sight disabilities have made leaps and bounds in a way some never thought possible -- by climbing their way to ancient ruins.

Erik Weihenmayer leads the youths who travel to southern Peru to climb to Machu Picchu, the Lost World of the Incas. Weihenmayer's own sight is impaired, and he began his program after making the journey himself. The terrain is tough, but he is determined to rally the teens by making those who participate feel the gratification that comes with success and the satisfaction of pushing farther even if you are disabled.

Have you ever wanted to leave your job, sell your house and make a life for yourself on the open road? If so, meet the White family from Washington state. The Whites dropped life as they knew it, packed themselves into an RV, and made a new life for themselves on the open road. They are the new 21st-century explorers.

And finally, we chose to revisit those who continue to push the envelope with their wit. We start with those who made us laugh -- comedic notables Matt Stone and Trey Parker, creators of the animated Emmy award-winning cartoon South Park. These men continue to push social, cultural and religious boundaries on their top-rated and highly criticized show for Comedy Central.