Louise Zamperini Research Paper

Louis Silvie Zamperini, known as Louie Zamperini was born on January 26,1917 in Olean, New York. Louie was born to Anthony Zamperini and Louise Dossi. Louie had a older brother, Pete, and two younger sisiters named Virginia and Sylvia. The Zamperini family then moved to Torrance, California. Louies family only spoke Italian, no English which made him a target of bullying in highschool.

In highschool, Louie was a trouble maker. His brother Pete got him involved in running. Louie discovered his love for running. Pete would take him on training runs. At the end of Louie’s freshman year, he came in 5th place in an all city division. After Louie spent the summer of ’32 running, he started with his first cross-country race. Throughout his last
three years of highschool, Louie Zamperini was undefeated. Louie started beating his brothers records. Louie went to the California state championship in 1934. He won the CIF California State Meet wiith a mile of 4:27.8 minutes. After that meet, he landed a scholarship to the University of Southern California, known as USC.

In 1936, Louie decied to try out for the Olyimpics. To get into the Olyimpic Trials, you had to pay. Louie got a free train ticket since his dad worked on the railroad, and a group of people from around Torrance raised the money to get Louie to the trials.