I have a friend named Matt Healey. We became friends in high school and would see each other regularly either in concert choir or in the theatre during rehearsal. He and I would always do our best Robert Goulet impressions, and, he being the manlier, well-adjusted person to puberty, would always have the better impression.
He is well loved by my high school community. He played a few different sports, involved himself in the performing arts and even went on a trip to volunteer in Peru for his senior project. In the fall of 2009, we were both in a production of Beauty and the Beast. Initially, he was cast as a different role. However, due to some circumstances beyond our control, he was tasked with the role of the Beast within a week of opening. He had to learn all the lines, blocking, choreography, and music that you would learn during a few months in a short period of time. I couldn’t believe it, but he pulled it off. He was amazing in that role and I am so blessed and grateful to have experienced that.
In the spring, our school held its first male beauty/talent pageant called Mr. Thayer. He was one of the contestants. Matt performed to the Rod Stewart hit “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” in spandex pants he borrowed from his girlfriend’s mother, and it was spectacular. The audience and judges ate it up. I’ve never seen someone more confident on stage like that. He ended up winning it all, which he deserved.
Later on that year, he graduated and we met up at a graduation party. We all had a lot of fun and went our separate ways at the end of the night. When Matt and I said our goodbyes I told him “Until next time,” and then we began to do our best Robert Goulet impressions. I had a strange feeling as I was walking away, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Matt passed away exactly five years ago last Friday. That strange feeling I had at that party all made sense: I wouldn’t see him again. At college, he became ill and it got to the point where he had to be placed in a medically induced coma. A prayer service was scheduled for him on the morning of homecoming. Instead, we found out about the news. His presence still blesses us, even to those that never met him. They named the Mr. Thayer award after him and there is even an award given out at Last Chapel, Thayer’s award ceremony, in his honor.
It may have been tough reading this article, and trust me I’m trying to hold the waterworks as I write as well, but I think all of this needs to be said. Your time on this earth, at Stevens, with your loved ones is finite. I’ve been telling people around me about how much I appreciate them because you never know when it will all go away. Call your parents, siblings, friends. Tell your big or mentor how much they mean to you. Make some memories with your friends while you’re still together on campus. Make today matter, because tomorrow is never a guarantee.
