A touching story that appears in today’s Butler Eagle about a Butler teenager and her mother drives home a message that is perfect for this Easter season.

Glee Hart was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2016. Her battle with cancer ended five weeks ago. She died March 9.

While she will forever be remembered by her family, she also left a lasting legacy for Slippery Rock High School, both of whom paid unique and proper tributes to her one day last week.

On Wednesday, the first tribute came in the form of a new softball scoreboard that was installed beyond the school’s left field fence in honor of Hart, who came up with the concept for the scoreboard, initiated a fundraising effort for it and, after inspiring an anonymous donor, helped bring it to fruition.

Hart’s daughter, Julia, is a junior and plays second base for the Rockets, SRHS’s softball team. She had never hit a home run during a game. Until Wednesday night.

In the third inning during a game against Jamestown, Julia knocked a home run over the left center field fence.

The ball flew past the scoreboard that had been dedicated to her mother just hours earlier. It was the day’s second fitting tribute.

“I know my mom was with me on that swing,” Julia said. “I had never hit a home run in my life. I never knew that feeling. I felt her presence as I jogged around the bases. It was a moment — our moment.”

Thanks to Glee Hart, many other young women will experience the excitement that comes when a home run they’ve hit is reflected on SRHS’s new scoreboard.

The structure is a monument to her dedication to the community and her perseverance. When she was told she was wasting her time trying to fund the scoreboard, she became twice as determined.

Many residents of Butler County celebrated Easter this past weekend. It provided the opportunity for people to spend time with family and reflect on what is important to them.

It was also a time to consider how we can help others.

Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, the Easter holiday is one that celebrates what one person was willing to do for others.

Glee Hart was the type of person who thought about what she could do for her community. We need more like her.

— NCD