A MOTHER’S MESSAGE — Mary Buth, Matt Buth’s mother, addresses the crowd at the second annual Matt Buth Foundation Gala on April 25. Mary gave an impassioned speech focused on how, even in the most difficult times, “the show must go on.”
On April 25, members of the community gathered at Venue 142 in Downtown DeLand, for the second annual Matt Buth Foundation Gala. The night was one for remembrance and to award three Volusia County high-school music students with scholarships that have been funded through the Matt Buth Foundation.
A dinner and silent auction were held in remembrance of Matt Buth, a DeLand high-school student who died by suicide in 2019. Matt was a talented and passionate young musician, and the Matt Buth Foundation was established in 2021 to honor his life and love of music. The Matt Buth Foundation was created to continue Matt’s “legacy of music and his reputation for helping others.”
By raising donations to help fund three annual scholarships that recognize Volusia County music students, and providing awareness of local mental health and behavioral health resources, the Matt Buth Foundation hosted a meaningful evening of remembrance and community support.
Becky Adesso, president of the Matt Buth Foundation, described how a painful loss of a loved one has evolved into a mission of helping others who are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.
“Matt was eighteen years old; he was just on the cusp of what the world was going to give to him. He was funny, outgoing — he was loved by everyone,” Adesso said.
“[Matt] was admired, he had friends, he had family, he had a huge support system. And we still lost him. We lost him to suicide because depression — much like drowning — is often silent. We have to break the silence. We have to start making the subject of how we feel a comfortable and open topic. Seeking help should never be a shameful endeavor,” Adesso said.
Since the inception of the Matt Buth Foundation, more than $20,000 has been raised for scholarships and mental health grants.The recipients of this year’s scholarships, in the amount of $2,500 each, are:
- Jonah Glenn — DeLand high school
- Grimm Stephenson — DeLand High School
- Elizabeth Paez-Colon — Deltona High School
The 2024 mental health grant recipient is still being decided and will be announced within the next few months.
Mary Buth, Matt’s mother, addressed the crowd with a moving speech. “We said in the beginning, ‘the show must go on,’” Mary said. “Nothing is so great that it cannot be overcome.”
“Take the time to give gratitude and thanks to those around us who make our lives better and try to be that person who is making somebody else’s life better… that’s what everybody in this room is trying to do. Make somebody else’s life better just by being you. We all have it in us. Find it, pull it up, the show must go on,” Mary said.
