Life's a Pitch
by Cate Murway
Kara Elizabeth Bartle, BHS ’08 is an amazing catcher!
Softball is her favorite sport. Despite the sport's name, the ball itself is not soft. Neither are the athletes! According to the book of Robert [Bob] Paiva,Woodrow Wilson H.S. ’72, (currently Harry S.Truman), Middletown Mystics’ U18 Fast Pitch team coach, Kara is “quite an athlete, a pleasure to coach and a perfect fit for the team! She is never satisfied with mediocrity; is committed to bettering herself and is always willing to improve her game!” Competing on the team requires a rough regime! Rigorously playing softball for 10 months a year gives Kara the competitive edge to complement the present tempo and tactics of the Mystics who placed 3rd at the Keystone State Games, PA's largest amateur athletic festival.
The “Bristolgirl”, (part of her e-mail address), has voiced that her love of family, friends and the borough are strong contributors to her decision to a “close to home” college experience. Playing as a Golden Ram at West Chester University of PA is a potential high-quality undergraduate academic/athletic education path choice.
Bartle, a form of the medieval personal name Bartholomew meaning ‘having many furrows’, [i.e. rich land], is perfect for the multi-talented, multi-faceted Kara. She is a visual picture of enthusiasm and persistence, based on her belief that success is to be earned by individual effort. She displays a truly outstanding sense of responsibility and balance, with a depth of understanding that produces much sympathy and kindness in her quest for adventure and life experiences.
Her supportive parents, “High School sweethearts”, Lower Bucks Hospital Security Officer, Daniel "Danny", BHS ’76 and Andorra Woods Healthcare Center Dietary Manager, Susan Marie [Weik], Basketball center and Captain BHS ‘76/Community College of Philadelphia ’98 are visibly proud of her accomplishments, as well as those of her brother, Newtown Township Police Officer, Daniel Joseph, BHS ‘97/ Municipal Police Academy of Montgomery County Community College’01. Kara’s late maternal grandmother, Rita [McHugh] Weik, BHS ’42 was a softball/basketball athlete and her grandfather, Charles, Northeast Catholic’40, a Rohm and Haas retiree, is currently a Langhorne resident. Paternal grandparents, Bristol Borough resident, Alice F. and the late, William, a 3M employee were Bristol Borough school district students.
The National Honor Society Nominee, academically gifted Kara, [her grades are exceptional], has demonstrated achievement in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Current career choices include nursing, the ideal of altruistic behavior and service to humanity, and the potentially rewarding [or frustrating] career of a guidance counselor to help guide and structure children’s educational and vocational direction. Kara’s compassionate traits are much like her emerald gemstone birthstone-rare and valuable. She displays affectionate, courteous, kind, generous, and thoughtful feelings toward the poor and suffering. Her senior project, which merited a grade of “outstanding”, is the PowerPoint and written paper presentation about the acid attacks in Bangladesh. Most of the young women victims show the remarkable courage to face a difficult and dangerous future and have decided to go public and speak out against their treatment. Kara’s intense mental agility and energy give her a voracious appetite for knowledge regarding these horrific incidents. A Child called “It”, nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, particularly impacted this compassionate youth. Dave Pelzer, the torchbearer for the 1996 Olympic torch relay, who has dedicated his life to helping others help themselves, wrote this 6-year standing N.Y. Times bestseller list book.
Kara has often earned recognition as “Student of the Month” as she has demonstrated great academic achievement along with exceptional participation in school activities and has contributed positively to the BHS community. Her favorite subject is Chemistry, a powerful component of her 98.26 overall average. A Student Council Rep, she acts upon opportunities to care for others by participating in service activities, such as Blood Drives. She is an active participant in the planning for the April 20th Red & Grey Sports Night. She and the Prom Committee are working on the theme and decorations to make “BHS Prom 2007” a spectacular event.
Kara shares that “School, sports and friendships have always been important”. Memorable St. Mark School academic ventures include the “A.V./Tech” group taught by the Tech Coordinator/Computer teacher, Joann [Lynn] Johnston, Villa Joseph Marie ‘74/Holy Family University ’78. Kara felt “It was fun and different!” The students learned to set up portable SmartBoards, computers and projectors for assemblies and parent functions. Per Joann Johnston, “Kara was a great student; a lovely girl; very bright and attentive.”
This semester, she is part of an all female team participating in the BHS 10-week Stock Market Game Program, an effective education tool to build lifelong skills of saving and investing. They are entering Round 2, using real Internet research and news updates that make the simulation an even better mirror of the real marketplace. Kara’s group’s choice of stocks is Abercrombie & Fitch, the high quality, collegiate-inspired, casual luxury clothing.
Now she progresses from “stocks to sticks”! “Spring sports have begun. Her passion for softball is apparent and she will contribute her athletic strengths to the team coached by Michael N. Lalli, BHS ’76/Temple University ’80, but she is industriously fundraising for the world-class KSA [Kaylee Scholarship Association] Field Hockey Fall Classic at Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex Aug 31 - Sep 2, 2006. She and the BHS team will challenge themselves by facing off against the best competition the sport has to offer in the same amazing facilities that are used by the best athletes in the world.
Varsity starter Kara is adaptable and versatile, with good individual skills and a profound depth of team mentality. Catching is arguably the most difficult and important task in softball. As catcher she must hustle to all balls that get past her. Garbed in sliders and shorts, she [wo]mans first base, often referred to as "the other hot corner"—the "hot corner" being third base. She owns plenty of tournament shirts and she has earned them!
Her dream car is the off-road terrain sport utility vehicle, the Hummer. But for now, constant criticism about fuel economy will not be a concern. Kara will be zipping around the bases on her own power and her beloved Bristol Borough is home plate!
Recommend a Spotlight: e-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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William W. Bartle, age 59, passed away Friday, June 26, 2009 at his home in Bristol, PA.
Born in Philadelphia, he was a lifetime Bristol resident.
He was a machinist at US Steel Fairless works for 23 years. He was an Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam era. William enjoyed camping and rowing his boat at the Penn Warner Club and loved his family especially his granddaughters.
Son of the late William Bartle, he is survived by his wife Lois J. Bartle, four children Rian, Lauren, Carly and Mark Bartle, two granddaughters Liliana and Laila, his mother Alice Bartle, two brothers Don (Liz) Bartle, Danny (Sue) Bartle and one sister Karen (Efrain) Bartle, his father and mother in law Al and Jennie Perugini and brother in law Michael (Sandy) Perugini and several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Family and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 from 10AM to 12PM at the Molden Funeral Chapel Inc. 133 Otter St. Bristol, PA, a service will immediately follow at 12PM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to…….. Online condolences may be made to
www.moldenfuneralchapel.com
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In Memory Of
Alice F. Bartle
Bristol, Pennsylvania
Mar 20, 1929 - Apr 26, 2017 (Age 88)
Alice was born on March 20, 1929 and passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Alice F. (Solt) Bartle, of Bristol, PA passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017. She was 88. Born in Bristol, PA, she was a lifelong resident. Prior to her retirement, Alice was the manager of the Thrift Store in Bristol for over 15 years. She was also a life member of the Bucks County Rescue Squad.
Wife of the late William Bartle and mother of the late William W. Bartle, she is survived by 2 sons, Donald Bartle (Liz) and Daniel Bartle (Sue), her daughter Karen Crilly and her daughter in law Lois Bartle, 2 brothers, Warren and John Solt and her sister Donna Decembrino, 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 9AM until the time of her service at 11AM at the Molden Funeral Chapel
133 Otter St. Bristol, PA. Interment will follow in Bristol Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Either Chandler Hall Hospice or the Trenton Rescue Mission. To sign the online guestbook or send a condolence visit www.moldenfuneralchapel.com
Kara Elizabeth Bartle
