| |
|
This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Kathryn "Katie" STAUFFER who was born in Pennsylvania on June 24, 1983 and passed away on March 08, 2003 at the age of 19. We will remember her forever.We called her Katie. Katie Stauffer was born on June 24, 1983. She grew up in a loving family in Quakertown, PA. From a young age she was a very curious child. She learned to read at the age of two. She loved her books. She read constantly. At the age of 5 she joined the comunity summer swim team and proceeded to break every record for the 8 and under girls team.
In the winter she swam for the local YMCA, helping the team win many championships in her 12 years on the team. In fifth grade she won the SERTOMA Club writing award for her essay on America. Throughout her public education she excelled in everything she did. She became a concert pianist, a talented artisit, and a championship swimmer. At the senior awards night she collected almost every award given, AP Chemistry, Ap Physics, Calculus, Presidents student service award and many more (see her website go.to/teenhelp for a complete list). Katie wo the Presidents Student Service Award for her senior project, a help web site for teens. go.to/teenhelp
Number One in her class, voted the most intellectual female by her fellow students and the Best of the Class on WPVI TV 6 in Phila. she completed her high school education with a world of opportunities in front of her.
Katie applied to 3 colleges, but her first choice was Swarthmore. We visited Swarthmore and she fell in love. Our tour guide said it was a school for kids who loved to learn. The swim coach was great and really needed a freestyle sprinter. Katie was accepted at all three colleges. She was awarded the John Marshall scholarship at Franklin and Marshall, the Jacob Albright Scholarship at Albright College, but she chose to go to Swarthmore, the #1 liberal arts college in the US.
For the first time in her life she was surrounded by people like her. People wo talked about quantum physics at lunch, enjoyed a good debate and studied hard. She joined the swim team and had a immediate family. She was home. She florished in the atmosphere at Swarthmore and became a scholar athlete, breaking two college records. As she returned home for the summer she missed the many new friends she had made a Swat. She could not imagine being at any other school
The fall of her sophomore year brought new adventures, Organic Chemistry, Psychology, Philosophy, and more swimming honors. She was named to the Centennial Conference First Team for the 200 Free Relay a gold medal record. She was also named to the NAtional Deans List.
Winter break was spent at home and then to Puerto Rico with the swim team for winter training. The spring semester brought excitement with Molecular Virology, Abnormal Psychology, Utopia, and other classes. She was chosen by the faculty to attend a seminar, the only sophomore chosen to attend. As swimming conferences concluded in February she made three trips to the award blocks and turned her attention to the spring track season.
The parents of a fellow swimmer invited Katie to join them in the Florida Keys for a week of relaxation, snorkeling, fishing, swimming and fun. They eagerly planned a road trip leaving after class on Friday March 7th, Jeff, Marty and Katie. Jeff and Marty would share the driving duties, Katie didn't like to drive, she would rather read. They called from Washington DC around 5:00PM, stopped to eat and get out of the traffic rush. They would continue through to Fla. one driving while one slept. Only a lonely stretch of I 95 near Brunswick, GA. the driver fell asleep.
Katie always wore her seat belt, refusing to start the car if someone didn't have a seat belt on. But this time, Jeff told her to take it off and get comfortable as she slept. He told her, you can trust me I'm a good driver. Those were the last words she ever heard. At 3:30 Am on MArch 8 the car set on cruise at 75mph violently rolled over numerous times, ejecting Katie from the car, killing her instantly of severe head injuries. At 6:00 that morning I received the phone call that every parent hopes they never get.
|
 Tributes and Condolences |
|
|
 |
|
|
Dear Mrs. Stauffer / Lisa Racz (ymca)
Hi. My name is Lisa Racz. I have 2 boys - one aged 12 and one 9 years. My older son has special needs. This year we decided to homeschool him. Another homeschool mother gave me the name of the art center. The name ...
 Continue >>
|
|
|
|
|
|
In Loving Memory, a lasting tribute / Linda Staufer (Mother)
"I had to do something to keep her alive in some way." Arts center is also a memorial By Valerie Reed Inquirer Suburban Staff Linda Stauffer, her eyes filling with tears, gently smooths the clay that shapes her daughter's face. "I'm touching her. Thi...
Continue >>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Her legacy |
|
|
|
|
Katie's Journal
After Katie was killed I wanted to die. How could I live without her in my life. She was my soulmate, my best friend and the future. I found one her journals and began to read.
"When the heart resists, the mind will not accept" "I'm not exactly sure what this quote means. There are many things in life that you don't really want to. Your heart just isn't in it. But, you do it anyway because it has to be done. On the other side, I guess if you have a loved one who dies your heart is still attached and it refuses to relinquish. When your heart still aches for that person your mind can sometimes not accept that they are dead. Overall though I believe common sense or the "mind" can usually overrule the heart maybe because I am young and haven't really experienced love or loss I can't comment on this quote. Sure, in the books I read the heart always overrules and in the end and everyone overcomes troubles to live happily ever after. But does that happen in real life? If even in your heart you know something is true it doesn't stop your mind from thinking it is false. I don't know? I feel like I am out of my depth here and writing about something I'm not yet old enough to understand. Why does the heart always have to symbolize emotions and the mind the rationality? I can't tell you what this means until 20 years from now when I've experienced it instead of watching it on Dawson's Creek or Beverly Hills (Not that I ever have or will watch either). The truth is they're just imaginary characters with no real hearts or minds with which to guide me. I'll trust my own judgment not some scriptwriters".
Katie Stauffer 2000
"I guess if I could be any movie character it would probably be Jodie Foster in "Contact". First of all, I really enjoyed the movie and the whole premise of extraterrestrials it was based upon. Now I never really wanted to be an astronaut or discover life on other planets, but the thought of seeing distant galaxies up close is very intriguing. This character dedicated her life to one purpose and she achieved it. Even when no one would believe her she stuck to what she believed and would not admit she made up the whole experience. Also, she did get the guy in the end . That's a definite plus. Traveling so far away and seeing something no other human had set eyes on was a defining moment, her life which up until then was based on theory and intrigue, became fact. All she had worked for was realized. I hope that someday what I do will make a difference."
"During the time I had to write down something kind I did everyday I became more aware of the kindness around me. Many days I thought so much about what I had done that day, that I realized how nice my parents and friends are to me. Although I considered myself a kind person before I started this journal, I was surprised at how hard it was to find a different kind of kind thing to do everyday. I think that by writing down what I'd done, I encouraged myself to do bigger and better things. Because of this project I purposefully try to do more kind things. Eventually, I hope it will become a habit and I will become a better person. Encouraging others to do a "kind thing of the day" is what I do now. In return for all my kind acts I know that I can expect a greater amount of kindness and respect from others."
"We should love people and use things, not use people and love things" "In society today many people put great value on their possessions. Things like the right shirts, jeans, or backpacks set the standard for social status in the schools. But people should respect others for their character and personality rather than for what they own. Also, some people will use others to gain a certain objective. Whether it is a campaign loan or an introduction to a best friend. Unfortunately people will always see others in a "what can you do for me" way. Hopefully, in the future people will learn to love others for their companionship and their personality. Placing undo importance on material things weakens ones ability to see the value of friendship. Personally I am ashamed that I place a value on my possessions. I don't believe that I use people to gain more things. Once and a while things can be important, like your first report card or your great grandmothers picture, but real people can always bring more to your life than an inanimate thing."
Katie Stauffer 2000
As I struggled with thought of suicide my doctors told me I had to go on, for Her. What would She want me to do? She would want me to continue her goal, "I hope that someday I can do something that will make a difference". She planned to get her PhD in genetics and do research on mental ilness and genetics. I could not do that, but I could make a difference in something I knew about, something she enjoyed and something our community needed. ART. I formed a 501c3 Nonprofit and opened the Katie Stauffer Memorial Arts & Cultural Center a place where people of all ages could learn about art and express themselves through the arts. Thirty years as an art teacher gave me the knowledge. My love for Katie gave me the reason.
I'd like to meet people who understand my grief and my need to keep this memorial to Katie alive. People who share my dream and can help me build this art center . Contributions can be sent to Katie Stauffer Arts Center c/o Quakertown National Bank, PO Box 9005, Quakertown, PA 18951 For more information visit: The Katie Stauffer Memorial Arts Center at http://www.katiestauffer.org |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| Kathryn "Katie"'s Photo Album |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Add to favorites 
