Ahhh, the vigor of youth...

Baltimore, 1967 - Clinging tenuously to single digits on her

inexorable climb up proverbial age ladder, an earnest

Mary Ella Franz eagerly tackles the daunting challenge 

presented by no less than 9 flickering candles on her

 homemade, handcrafted chocolate birthday cake. 

A dainty, delicate girl, with notably virginal lungs and given to
fits of fainting in the midst of any spirited activity (i.e., dodgeball,
tag, red rover, checkers, walking, taking a bath, gabbing on her
 Princess Phone, blowing out candles, etc., etc.), she nevertheless
 insisted on being given this opportunity.

As her anxious family looked on -- an oxygen tank had been
 surreptitiously wheeled into position behind her chair --
she absolutely nailed it:  All 9 candles went dark.
A riotous party ensued, featuring a keg of soda, a cracker barrel
overflowing with Utz Old Bay-seasoned crab chips, and extra
 servings of cake and oyster-pecan ice cream.

Fast forward to May 12, 2011 - The real test comes tonight when
she attempts to blow out nearly 6 TIMES as many candles as are
displayed above.

 Can she do it?  Having been crushed numerous times by her on the
 free throw line at various Hackfests past, I offer this bit of advice: 
Don't bet against her.

All the Best on your Big Day, Mary Ella.