Student of the Week: Eric Wetzel

 When everybody else is running away from a fire, junior Eric Wetzel is one of the few people brave enough to run toward it.

For the past three years, Wetzel has been a volunteer firefighter at the Kingston Columbian Station and Union County Station 4 in New Berlin, Pa.

 In his experience fighting fires, he ranks seeing the gratitude of the victims as the most rewarding part. He also points out that there are a few misperceptions that go along with the job.

 “In my community, we are always kind of the outcasts because the community thinks that all we do is eat, sleep, and breathe fire, but when the pager goes off they’re the first ones thankful that we’re around to help and assist them,” he said.

 However, he also admits that the job does bring some tough realities to light.

 “The only sad thing that I’ve seen so far was a 10-year-old boy die right before my eyes, and I wasn’t able to do anything about it,” he said.

 Wetzel says it is sometimes difficult to balance firefighting with the rest of his obligations. This semester, he hasn’t spent as much time at the fire house as he would like.

 When he’s not at the firehouse, Wetzel spends his time playing baseball for the Wilkes team, where he is a centerfielder. In the summer, Wetzel also coaches a baseball team.

 Because of his dedication to preserving the safety of our communities, The Beacon has chosen Wetzel as its Student of the Week.

The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Eric: Managing a company and watching my kids grow up

The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words.
Eric: Reliable, athletic, competitor

The Beacon: Finish the sentence: "My friends would be surprised to know that..."
Eric: If it wouldn’t be for Wilkes baseball I would be in the armed forces.