[Editor’s Note: The widely admired teacher Joey Lutz, 25 years old, who graduated in 2000 from Culver City High School, drowned last weekend while on holiday in Panama. Mr. Lutz’s parents, Stuart and Freda Lutz, reside in Culver City. Funeral services are yet to be finalized at Hillside Memorial Park. In this essay, a former student recalls their golden days at summer camp.]
Joey was my CIT (counselor-in-training) at Camp JCA Sholom, Malibu, the year I was kicked out for smoking. He also went to U.C. Santa Cruz, and I was living in Santa Cruz at the same time.
Joey was a great person. Although we were not very close friends, we were good friends.
That year at camp we formed a bond.
I was having issues with the other CIT counselor, and I was confident I could be open about my problem with Joey.
I remember feeling and telling Joey that the other CIT counselor did not want me to be at camp.
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Sanda Hibbard and Joey Lutz at Camp JCA Sholom, Malibu
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Basically, our personalities clashed.
The thing was, she had the power to get rid of me, so I thought.
Joey informed me, ever so wisely, that I had the power to control the situation. All I had to do was not smoke.
The CIT already had caught me smoking a couple times. She told on me. I had one more shot.
Who Is in Charge?
“Just don’t smoke,” Joey told me. “Beat her at her own game. Then she can't do anything to get rid of you."
I really understoodand appreciated his advice. But, being 17, I knew everything.
We both know how this story ends up.
The thing is, sure, I felt stupid for smoking and getting caught and letting her win.
But it wasn’t until I gave Joey a hug goodbye that I started to cry and told him I was sorry.
I was so sorry for letting him down and disappointing him.
I felt so guilty for it because he was right.
I should not have smoked and let her win.
There Was Something Magical
When I got to camp that summer I was a week late cause I had been sick.
Joey wasn’t there when I arrived because it was his day off.
When he returned, everyone rushed over to him to greet him. Everyone loved him after just a week of knowing him.
I remember feeling like I already like this guy, and I haven’t even introduced myself yet. He had that kind of charisma and charm. It was a sincere kind of charm.
One night they all decided to take us CITs on a night hike. You do this without flashlights, just with moonlight.
It was a fun experience, learning how to adjust your vision to the dark. But what made it really special was the walk back.
The whole time I held Joey’s hand as he told a story that he made up as he went along.
On Songwriting
Everyone who could hear him enjoyed the story as well. I can’t remember any of the story but I never will forget the way I felt, as if I were in the presence of someone really, truly special.
Later that summer, after I was at home, I spoke with Joey on the phone. I was telling him how bummed out I was about getting kicked out.
“So write a song,” he told me. “I can’t,” I said.
“Write a song about the wind, the wind and the willows,” he said.
I laughed. I would have done it except for the fact that I can’t write music.
We lost touch after that summer. I always wanted to find him, but didn’t think I would.
When I moved to Santa Cruz, my roommate, Meagan, got me started on a website, Friendster. It is similar to Myspace and Facebook.
A Reunion with Joey
I typed in Joey’s name, and his picture came up. I saw he was in S.C., too. I was so excited. I couldn't believe it. I had found him, and he was only five minutes away.
I think I actually screamed. We got together at his house for dinner with his housemates.
I was so happy to see him again.
We hung out a couple more times.
Once we went on an outing to Natural Bridges.
I am so thankful I got to spend more time with him.
I can’t remember our conversations but there is no doubt that they were good.
The Meaning of Life
Joey was a very fun, centered, zen, soft, intelligent, talented, passionate, wise person.
He was always positive.
He always carried good energy.
He was just the kind of person you would want to be around.
Being friends with Joey could only make you a better person.
I will never forget him, my friend Joey Lutz.
Ms. Hibbard, the former Sanda Stein, now resides in Oregon.
