Senior overcomes personal obstacles

Wednesday, June 10, 1998 | 8:58 a.m.

That's because she leads more the life of an adult than a typical high school student.

Ms. Bassler, 18, works 30 hours a week taking care of children at Teddy Bear Junction, a child-care center. She also helps take care of her father, who has multiple sclerosis and has been unable to work since 1993, and assumes some of the responsibility for her 15-year-old brother, Andrew. Her mother, Donna, died less than two years ago after living with multiple sclerosis for about 10 years.

"It's the only life I've ever known," Ms. Bassler said of her many responsibilities.

Ms. Bassler's high school counselor, Julia Rutledge, said the young woman epitomizes the essence of determination and strength. That's why she nominated Bassler for the Jim Thorpe Spirit Award, which she recently won.

"She's the best of what's right about America and youth," Ms. Rutledge said.

Ms. Bassler's father, Jim, has always had straightforward advice for his daughter.

"I've always emphasized to her, 'Do your best,' and that she could do anything she wanted to do," he said.

Ms. Bassler is the sixth recipient of the annual award, receiving the honor because she fulfilled the award committee's criteria of displaying courage and achieving one's personal best.

The award is named for athlete Jim Thorpe and is designed to recognize those who embody the characteristics of its namesake. Thorpe, who was part American Indian and who grew up in poverty, won two Olympic gold medals in 1912 and played professional football and baseball.

Ms. Bassler maintained a 3.8 grade-point average in high school. She plans to attend UNLV in the fall and ultimately hopes to become a lawyer.

"I sincerely wish I could recite a list of Rose's extra-curricular and athletic activities," Ms. Rutledge said in a letter accompanying one of Bassler's scholarship applications. "Sadly, I cannot. Rose has no free time. Her life is scheduled tightly around daily survival."

Ms. Rutledge talked about the strength Ms. Bassler displayed following her mother's death in November 1996. At the time, Ms. Rutledge was grieving over the death of own her son.

"I think we grief counseled each other," Ms. Rutledge said.

Ms. Rutledge said the teen-ager doesn't complain and doesn't think about what her life would be like if not for her parents' illnesses. In the same scholarship application letter, Ms. Rutledge wrote that Ms. Bassler "once remarked to me, with tears in her eyes, if she thinks too much about her problems or compares herself with other care-free teen-agers, she will fall apart."