PHILIPSBURG — To say that the late Taylor Harpster had an effect on the people in her community is quite the understatement.
Sure, she was a standout athlete at Philipsburg-Osceola, earning all-state status three straight years as a catcher for the softball team (including being on the 2007 PIAA championship squad), scoring more than 1,300 points during her basketball career and leading her volleyball team to a District 6 title.
But she was also a caring friend, an adored family member, a loyal classmate.
She was a role model.
On Dec. 26, “T-Harp,” as she was affectionately known by friends and family, was killed in a motor vehicle crash in her hometown. She was 27 years old.
Now, T-Harp’s athletic and community legacy will live on as her family has developed a special scholarship fund in her name and added a special memorial to the place she felt nearest to home — the Philipsburg-Osceola Area Softball Complex.
“Taylor meant so much to so many people,” her father, John Harpster, told the Gazette. “We felt we needed to preserve her legacy and continue to promote the care she had for the people and her community around her. We wanted to do something she would want done. This is it.”
Harpster said the fund will award two $1,000 scholarships to Philipsburg-Osceola students each year. He said criteria for the scholarship is minimal, just as Taylor would have wanted it.
“Taylor didn’t care if you were rich or poor, dirty or clean, smart or not. Taylor treated everyone the same,” he said. “Not to sound harsh, but we want to give these scholarships to students who really need them and who may not have an opportunity to receive scholarship money to continue their education elsewhere.”
The awards will be given during commencement services annually — the first two to be awarded to Class of 2019 graduates.
Harpster said the family is accepting donations to the fund through the Clearfield County Charitable Foundation in care of Taylor Harpster T-Harp Memorial Scholarship Fund. Online donations can be made at clearfieldcharitablefoundation.org.
Lady Mountie head softball coach Jim Gonder, now in his 37th year with the team, applauded the efforts of the Harpster family to initiate a scholarship fund. Gonder coached Harpster from 2007-2010.
“It’s absolutely fitting for these scholarships to be awarded in Taylor’s name,” he said. “She was an amazing young woman and athlete and is still a role model to many of the young athletes at Philipsburg-Osceola.”
Gonder said he was especially close to Taylor and her family as his daughter, Kelsey, is the same age.
“Our families bonded because our girls were playing on the same travel teams and playing a lot together through the years. So our families shared a lot of time together,” said Gonder. “That’s what made this that much harder, for all of us. Taylor wasn’t just a player. She was family.”
Gonder said Taylor was a “prankster” and enjoyed having fun with the players and the coaching staff. He said she was always positive in practice and encouraged the younger athletes as they worked to improve their game.
“One thing I will never forget was when Taylor was a freshman and she was playing right field in the district title game against Bald Eagle (Area). Early in the game, she threw a runner out at the plate from the outfield,” Gonder recalled. “Later in the game, a similar situation came up, but Bald Eagle held their runner. I knew it was because of what happened earlier that game.
“Well, we ended up winning 1-0,” he said. “Then, we went on to win the state title. I think those plays had a lot to do with our success that season.”
Those visiting P-O’s softball complex will now notice a special bench, perched on a concrete slab, deep down the third base line with a perfect view of the field Taylor loved to be on so much. It was a gift to the Lady Mounties’ softball program by Taylor’s parents and also serves as a memorial to their daughter, who spent so many hours in the dirt just below the high school.
“With all the improvements that have happened at the complex, we thought we could add something special, as well as keep Taylor’s memory in the hearts and minds of the faithful Lady Mountie softball fans,” her father said. “We got permission from the coach and the school board. Everyone felt it was appropriate.”
“It’s beautiful and a wonderful monument for such a wonderful person,” said Gonder. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the great P-O alum and players of the past sitting on that bench, cheering on the Lady Mounties, and all the while, keeping the memory of Taylor Harpster alive.”
Harpster said he and his family want to thank the Philipsburg-Osceola community for the generous support given during their time of mourning.
“Everyone has been so thoughtful and wonderful through this,” he said. “We can’t thank everyone enough for all the words, donations and kind gestures. We’re truly lucky to live in a community like this. It’s a caring community. That’s for sure.”
Taylor was a 2010 P-O graduate and graduated summa cum laude from Lock Haven University with a degree in accounting.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by a sister, Macy Neideigh of Spring Mills; a brother, Johnny Harpster III of Glass City; paternal grandparents Janet S. Harpster of Naples, Fla., and J. Winston Harpster of Crystal River, Fla.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Harry F. & Norma Jean Simmons.
