Like a good sister, Leticia Harshman has been there for her 17-year-old sister through tragedies and milestones alike.

She supported Nancy Birkbichler during a funeral, cheered her on at her Butler High School graduation last week and someday she hopes to attend her wedding.

However, the two young women aren't biological sisters. They were matched several years ago through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County.

Harshman decided to get involved with the nonprofit because she wanted to get involved in her community, but she never imagined the opportunity would evolve into a lifelong bond.

“Plus, I'm an only child, so it really intrigued me to have a little sister,” said Harshman of Avalon.

“And whenever I first met Nancy, it was the perfect match because she was so kind and so nice and wanted to do so many fun things.

“And every weekend, I would drive up to see her. I lived in Cranberry at the time, and just got to know this little girl and became a part of her family, too,” she said.

“I remember she gave me a Christmas card that first Christmas together and she said, 'You're my real sister. I love you.' And it was just so sweet.”

Nancy of Butler was only 10 when they met, but after spending countless weekends seeing movies, going to museums, concerts, parks and the mall, their partnership began to blossom into a deep friendship and mentorship.

Also, Nancy had been hoping to be paired with a teacher, since she's an aspiring educator, and Harshman is an English teacher at Pine-Richland High School.

Four years into their relationship, tragedy brought the two even closer.

“During the first week of her freshman year at high school, her mom died,” Harshman said. “Whenever I went to see her that day, right after it happened, Nancy was crying, telling me, 'My mom's never going to see me graduate, and she's never going to see me walk down the aisle, getting married.' And those things have really stuck with me.”

Nancy never had a relationship with her father so she has stayed with other family members over the years. But Harshman has been a mainstay throughout her childhood and teenage years.

On Tuesday night, the two hugged and chatted at Butler High School, blonde-haired Nancy wearing her white cap and gown, all smiles. She plans to follow Harshman's footsteps by attending LaRoche College this fall to major in secondary English education.

“I can always go to Tish for help,” Nancy said before walking for graduation. “She helped me grow into the person I am.”

Once Nancy turns 18, Harshman is no longer contractually obligated to see her sister for 10 hours a month as specified through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. But that won't stop them from seeing one another.

Harshman has two children of her own now, ages 1 and 3. And Nancy has enjoyed getting to know them, Harshman said.

“She's really part of our family now,” Harshman said.

As Nancy prepares for college, Harshman knows her scholarships, including a $1,000 Steven Napora Memorial Scholarship from the Butler County YMCA, and a college scholarship that will pay for half of her tuition, are well-deserved.

“She is the strongest young woman that I have come to know. And I have seen and lived through her maturation. So it's not just me meeting this 17-year-old girl. It's me knowing the hardships she's endured and overcome,” Harshman said.

“She's really a beacon of hope for Butler. No matter what other kid is going through, their struggles, you can overcome and you can reach your dreams.

“I'm so proud of her. And I know her mom is proud of her.”

To get involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County, call Dan Steighner, program director, at 724-287-4733 or visit www.bcfymca.org, and go to the Big Brothers Big Sisters page.