
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 23, 1995                   TAG: 9505230088
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MANASSAS                                LENGTH: Short

2 HEARTS DISCOVER ONE ANOTHER FOR PROM

The high school prom, a rite of passage for millions of high school students, means a little more for Bradley Bartter and his date: Each has a congenital heart defect that turns everyday occurrences into small miracles.

``It is going to be an adventure,'' said Bartter, 18, a junior at Osbourn High School in Manassas.

Bartter was born with two of his heart's main vessels - the pulmonary artery and the aorta - transposed. The condition has resulted in a lifetime of seizures and surgeries.

In August, Bartter went to the Cleveland Clinic for brain surgery to control seizures. That's where he met Amara Kertesz, 17, of Wisconsin, who suffers from the same heart condition and underwent similar surgery.

Now, she's his prom date.

``She's real nice,'' Bartter said, a little self-consciously. ``I asked her to the prom over the phone. She said yes.''

Kertesz flew into National Airport on Thursday.

Bartter prepared carefully for Monday's prom. He picked out his corsage, arranged for a limo, made dinner reservations and rented a tuxedo - plaid.

``I'm excited,'' Bartter said. ``I think Amara is, too. It's going to be fun.''

by CNB