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THE COAST NEWS
NOV. 12, 2010
THRIVES
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Fovali Pili,who did too,earning two Bronze Stars and one Silver Star for heroics while in Vietnam. Eddie would tell stories of how the Marine Corp shaped him, from that undisciplined kid in American Samoa who would skip school to go fish into the patriot who served in Korea and Vietnam before settling in Vista. “My grandfather was really huge on the Marines. He used to take me to Camp Pendleton all the time,” Merzi recalled. “For me, it feels like yesterday was freshman year here.” If that admission might sound a bit odd, it won’t when you consider Merzi’s daily schedule.While Army is a fouryear school like other universities, the students — known as cadets — seldom have time to ponder but they do get to know each other quite well. They all live on campus and eat together en masse. Merzi’s participates in marching practice at 6:15 a.m. and then class from 6:50 a.m. to 3 p.m. By 3:30 p.m., it’s football
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live classical music and a gourmet, four-course dinner. Silent and live auction packages, ranging from $100 to $25,000, will include professional services, home furnishings, consumer electronics merchandise, home-related products and services, a variety of domestic and international vacations, sports memorabilia and gift certificates for dining, entertainment, airfare and hotel accommodations. Other auction packages include fine art and jewelry, wine and spa packages and one-of-a-kind experiences, including hitting instruction from Padres player Adrian Gonzalez, private movie screenings, and a fly along in a Los Angeles Sheriffs Dept. helicopter. MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young to middle aged adults. Most people are diag-
practice and then there’s homework to follow and an official curfew at 11:30 p.m. “But most of the time, lights are out by 11 p.m.,” Merzi quips. Staying organized and effectively managing time, coupled with Army’s rigorous academic standards, were Merzi’s biggest challenge in his early years at West Point, as well as dealing with the failure that comes along with it. Army students are on par with Harvard’s and the Ivy League, with the academy admitting just 12 percent of all applicants yearly. “People come here usually good at everything and it was the first time I hadn’t gotten straight As,” Merzi explained. “I wasn’t studying effectively. There’s a point you reach here where you need help. My roommate was my tutor. In return, I helped him with the physical challenges you face here. You help someone who helps you.” Army students are officers-in-training and their education is fully funded by the Army in exchange for active duty service.Slated to graduate nosed between the ages of 20 and 50. More than twice as many women as men have MS. There is no known cause, cure or prevention. Symptoms cannot be predicted and can vary greatly, ranging from numbness in the limbs and extreme fatigue to loss of balance and muscle coordination or paralysis.
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next spring, Merzi said he will do so more mature and prepared to face the challenges then when he first walked on campus. His decision to major in Arabic may be largely fueled by his father’s roots, but also by his palette. He’s a sucker for Middle Eastern cuisine and continuing on the family tradition of military service. He’ll be a second lieutenant upon graduation and will be ready to serve if called upon. “We have this saying here, ‘we operate and we graduate,’” he explained. “I have that leg up if I get deployed. It’s really beneficial because when you understand their language you immediately command their respect. My time has flown by here so fast.”
Ecke Poinsettia Ball set for December ENCINITAS — Tickets are now available for the 20th annual Paul Ecke, Jr. Poinsettia Ball to be held Dec. 11. For those who believe philanthropy is a lost cause, one needs to look no further then the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA’s Gary E. Biszantz Family Gymnasium on the evening of the gala to find some of coastal North County’s most generous community members. For tickets and information on the event, contact Emily Coupe at (760)
942-3057, or ecoupe@ymca.org. The first Poinsettia Ball began with humble roots, held in the barn of the Ecke Ranch. This year’s gala committee wanted to pay tribute to the event that started it all, and found no better way then to theme the evening Boots & Ball Gowns. “The ball is already an amazing event,” said Sheila Wirick, committee chair. “The opportunity to give back to those who are financially struggling in this
economy, especially the children, is why we are here. Adding the boots and ball gowns theme is going to put the event over the top this year. And yes, boots are optional, but they will definitely make the dancing that much more fun!” The 20th Annual Poinsettia Ball will be emceed by Barbara-Lee Edwards, co-anchor for KFMB Channel 8 News, with an evening of fine dining, silent and live auctions and musical entertainment by the Heroes.