43
From volunteerism to Civil Air Patrol, Canfield teen epitomizes selflessness
By AMANDA TONOLI
CANFIELD
From most-beautiful baby winner at 6 months old in South Dakota to 17-year-old volunteer extraordinaire, Matthias Lewis of Canfield marches forward into adulthood with flying colors.
Matthias operates on selflessness, promoting the greater good through his family, church, friends and community.
He extends himself to help those in need, including volunteer work for Queen of Holy Rosary Church in Vienna (Matthias also serves as an altar boy and trains other altar boys), Rotary International, Ruritan National and political campaigns. He’s even a member of the Civil Air Patrol.
In his down time, Matthias, a home-schooled senior student, helps his siblings – Mallory, 15; Marshall, 14; Maellen, 10; and Mathan, 8 – with school work and other skills.
Why does he do so much?
“I just do it without really thinking about it,” Matthias said. “I like to feel like I’m helping someone.”
The Lewis family moved from South Dakota into the Valley 15 years ago due to a health complication with their first born: Matthias had a hole in his heart. He was diagnosed with atrial septal defect at age 2.
“The cardiologist said, ‘Move as close to Cleveland Clinic as you can,’” said Marie Lewis, Matthias’ mother.
Matthias received one of the first devices used for ASD repair, the Amplatzer septal occluder, rather than having open-heart surgery.
Now, Matthias has to go for tests only once every year or two to ensure the device is working properly. So far, he has had no complications.
“It’s essentially like he’s never had a hole. He plays sports and runs fast without problems,” Marie said.
When Matthias was beginning to talk, he had a vocalization problem and had to go to speech therapy.
“He just couldn’t form some words,” Marie said. “He practiced every day – at 3 and 4 years old, he said these sounds until he could talk perfectly well.”
Matthias now has no obvious speech problem but is thankful for the obstacle to start him off the way it did.
“It was the start of my drive,” Matthias said.
In 2011, Matthias joined the Civil Air Patrol, the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force, following in his father’s footsteps. The CAP incorporates search and rescue leadership activities, physical fitness, learning opportunities, color guard activities and much more.
Matthias recently was promoted to second lieutenant and serves as commander of his squadron’s competition team. The team won the Regional Cadet Competition in October and was scheduled to compete this month in Alabama in a national cadet competition.
Not only has the CAP served as a disciplinary and educational opportunity for Matthias, it doubles as a social outlet, Marie said.
“It’s a good way to find like-minded people,” Marie said.
Matthew Lewis, Matthias’ father, said he thinks the CAP is a great opportunity for adolescents in the Valley.
Matthias also works part time at Panera Bread.
He comes from a family of music, his father and grandfather both musically inclined.
“He had piano lessons for several years, but everything else he taught himself,” Marie said. “He just picks it up and starts playing.”
Matthias’ knack for music proved to be useful not only to himself, but also to his brothers and sisters.
Through music Matthias learned to teach others – he taught his brother Marshall to play drums and guitar and his brother Mathan to play bass.
Matthias said he played in a few bands and participates in area talent shows.
Because he also is physically active, Matthias has tossed around the idea of taking his soccer career to college.
He received professional experience over this past summer at his father’s law firm, Lewis Law LLC. He was in charge of social media, calling clients and reaching out to gain business. “He actually got me several new clients,” Matthew said.
Both Matthias and his father said they aren’t nervous about Matthias’ going away to college, but Marie is.
“I’m definitely nervous. Everything just went by so fast. I just want to pull back those years,” Marie said.
Matthias has been accepted to Walsh University in North Canton. He received $13,000 in scholarships for academics. He has chosen two majors to achieve his dream of becoming a music producer: marketing and music.
When he goes away for school, it’s going to create a hole that the CAP filled for the last four years, but Matthias said – in his forever volunteering ways – he would like to go back and help out when he can.