Remembering Matt Studt

Alabama Senior Family and friends of Baldwin County drowning victim still coping with the loss of a special young man

by Pat Peterson

Published: Thu, July 09, 2009 - 3:40 pm CST

Daphne High principal Don Blanchard says his school has suffered a tremendous loss.

"We're not supposed to bury our children, our children are supposed to bury us," says Blanchard. "The loss is...you can't describe that."

Blanchard, his staff and students are still trying to cope with the death of 17-year old Matt Studt. The high school student drowned on the Styx River in Seminole Wednesday. Studt and his friends were swimming near a sandbar when Studt went under and never resurfaced. Divers found the young man's body four hours later.

"Sweet, sweet child," says Blanchard. "The kind of kid every teacher wants in class."

The drowning has also affected members of the Seminole Volunteer Fire Department who spent hours on the river looking for Studt.

"Our feelings are sadness for the family and protectiveness for everyone else on the river," says Seminole Volunteer Fire Chief Kenny Ping. "It's very sad that a young boy's life is taken like that and it grieves us to have to go through this process."

Studt enjoyed playing the guitar and was active in several school clubs.

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minimay87 Says:

Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:11 am

mustuknow, I know it must be hard to find the individual that had drowned and be the one to let the family know that their loved one is gone. To all of the first responders and rescuers that work on cases like this one. I hope you do not feel that it is in some way your fault that you could not get to the victim in time. You do what you can and give it your all and we all know that. The comfort that you bring to the families in just letting them know what happened and able to let them have a proper funeral is more than you can ever know. I know that the family of this young man is in tremendous pain right now but know that he is now in a place were no harm can be done and that he will always be looking over you and will be with you everyday and everywhere. One day you will be able to once again put your arms around him and until then he will be waiting there with a smile and open arms. He will never truly be gone and he will remain forever in your hearts and memories as you will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

mustuknow Says:

Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:02 am

My condolences to the family and friends of this young man. My empathies to the firemen and women, LEO’s and other first responders who searched for him as it will be a call they will always remember. I have worked several drownings and I remember things about each individual one from the family members reactions, to the divers signaling they had located the body, to the relief yet massive let down that a life had to be lost so tragically.

I totally agree that we should not have to bury our children, and I pray to God that I never have to bury one of mind….

alabamaoutlaw Says:

Thu, Jul 09, 2009 at 6:50 pm

It’s tragic to lose children.My condolences to the family and friends.
Alabamaoutlaw