Coming To America... I

~ PROLOGUE ~

Merit.

"What Happened to Merit?" I ask. Who is merit you may wonder? Well, here's her tale.
Merit is a gem. She demonstrates great ability in all that she sets her heart to do, and works hard to be the best. She pushes herself to the limit, each day raising the standard. Attempts to better the world earn her rewards as she touches lives & affects communities... leaving a mark wherever she goes. Knowing that nothing comes easy in life she strives to improve her mind by studying hard and her body through exercise. Over the years she gains wisdom and her spirituality grows as well. The words of Proverbs, the Thessalonians and Timothy remain in her conscious brain like a refrain; she meditates upon them by day and at night. Merit is worthy of praise and truly deserves the best in life. She frowns on laziness and idle hands. Know ye not the seven sins... sloth, greed, gluttony, pride, envy & lust? Think on these things for a moment. Ponder the verses below [2Timothy 2v15; 2Thessalonians 3v10; Proverbs 12v11 & 27;]. It used to be that Merit was a key player in the game of Success, but somehow we seem to have lost her. "What happened to Merit?" I ask again. I would welcome her back... back into our schools, back into our jobs, back into our society altogether. Merit is to be worthy of; to earn by service or performance; to deserve; to be rewarded for good hard work. Merit has also been called Honor; Virtue; Integrity; Dignity. Now here is my tale.

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I. THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS

It was seven-thirty on a cold Saturday morning in January, the first day of lectures at the Center. It was a Catholic college compound and the building seemed antiquated. The auditorium, located on the basement floor, was sizeable and lacked windows. Two entrance-exit double doors were situated to the east and west of the hall. A young man stood on a simple platform before the class, projecting his voice with the use of an almost hidden microphone that was attached to one of the buttonholes on his beige plaid shirt. Smart trousers and a pair of brown Kenneth Cole loafers completed the outfit. Clearly he was a center employee. In a deep accented voice, he introduced himself as Dr. Tariq - Center Director. He explained the manner in which the course would be taught over the next thirty-two weeks. Then all were invited to sign in. Each student was given a packet and name tag while someone was announcing that there were donuts and coffee available on the table at the back of the room. We were in for a long haul- five months! Welcome to America!