Barkalow Students, Faculty Dedicate Scoreboard to Richard Hartman

In times of tragedy, it’s typical for a community to come together to combat adversity. The students and faculty of Clifton T. Barkalow Middle School are no different.

On Thursday, the school hosted an out of the box fundraiser in honor of Richard Hartman, a teacher and coach who died suddenly early in the school year. Music for the Hart was a coffeehouse-style event that included a bake sale, as well as a concert featuring alumni coming back to pay tribute and teachers from the school. This all lead up to the unveiling of the school’s new scoreboard, which was donated by the Clifton T. Barkalow Middle School PTO in Hartman’s memory.

 “The PTO and the student council picked up the tab. It started out as a fundraiser, but it turned into a dedication, and we thought what better way to dedicate it? The people playing up there knew him and were his best friends,” said the school’s Assistant Principal Thomas Smith.

When Hartman died in October, the PTO organized fundraisers at a memorial soccer game against Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School, selling baked goods and accepting donations. According to John Soviero, the school’s principal, the initial enthusiasm only gained momentum.

 “There’s been a build-up.  The soccer game in October generated a lot of people then, and here we are in May and people are still coming out excited to donate money and help,” Soviero said.

The turnout was more than impressive and packed the school’s gymnasium with tie-dye, which was the design of the t-shirts sold by the PTO. The idea was inspired by Hartman, who was a fan of tie-dye himself.

Hartman’s close friend Joe Lyttle thinks the event was a fitting tribute to the dedicated teacher.

“I think he would have been deeply touched by this. He knew how much these kids cared about him, and he would have been deeply moved by what happened tonight,” Lyttle said.