By Bailey McGuinn
Katy Perry’s Firework never sounded so good.
Changing the lyrics to “Hedda, you’re a firework,” a flash mob gathered in Morris Township on Saturday to surprise and support Hedda Sivertsson, a 14 year-old who is facing another round of intensive chemotherapy for brain cancer.
Hedda, clad in teal socks and a turquoise beanie, and her parents opened their front door to find hundreds of people, and even pet pooches, clad in the turquoise colors of Team Hedda.
As everyone sang and danced and passed out Team Hedda bracelets on a gorgeous, sunny afternoon, the Sivertssons looked shocked and overwhelmed. Hedda’s mom burst into tears.
“As a parent, I had absolutely no idea this event was happening,” said Hedda’s father, Per Sivertsson. “What the community is doing, it’s touching us a lot.”
The Morristown High School Marching band performed the Rocky theme song and 7 Nation Army before presenting Hedda with gifts.
Video:The Morristown High Marching Band encourages Hedda.
“I’m glad so many people showed up to support her,” said MHS senior Kimmy Speers, who conducted the band during its surprise performance. “It’s such a scary thing that she’s going through, but tonight was so beautiful. It shows how close knit and amazing the community is, and how much we care about her.”
Hedda has become a kind of local celebrity–ribbons of support have gone up around Greater Morristown; an online campaign, an MHS theatre production and local joggers have raised money for research; and Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn even met with Hedda to offer encouragement.
On Saturday, supporters greeted Hedda with warm hugs and high praise, posing together in front of a handmade teal poster reading, “We Heart You Hedda, You Got This!!”.
Members of Morristown High School’s girls lacrosse team and theatre program also were there to cheer for Hedda in her fight.
“I met Hedda when she came to see our production of Legally Blonde. She has been such a source of inspiration for all of us in Morristown,” said Victoria Fanning, a junior at MHS and president of its Theatre Board. “She truly is a symbol of resilience and courage to everyone.”
Fanning heard about the event through the “Ribbons for Hedda” Facebook group, which currently has close to 800 members. Melissa Archuleta, who threw the event, made several posts on the page, including one of her daughter performing the heartfelt choreography for the community to learn.
“She is mature beyond her years,” Archuleta said of Hedda. “To see the joy on her face was so special. She is such a fighter — so kind and caring, always thinking of others, and noticing the good in everything.
“She just takes the spotlight away from herself to highlight others. She’s going for her next big challenge in her fight, a long treatment, and we really wanted to send her off in a positive way and let this joy carry her through the next six weeks. I knew if I put it into the Facebook page, we’d get this kind of response. So much love is pouring out of everyone here.”
Hedda heads to New York City this week for intense chemo treatment. She’ll stay in the city to recover from for six weeks.
“It’s so beautiful to be able to reflect her positive spirit back on her,” said Chandani Rao, parent of Hedda’s classmate Maya Slaughter.
“Not everyone battling cancer gets this kind of support, so this is beautiful to see that she knows hundreds of people are behind her. Hopefully this brings more awareness for others who are fighting the same fight.”
Which is the same goal of Maya and Hedda’s fellow classmates Carigan McGuinn and Danielle Becht. They were inspired to hold a cabaret to benefit cancer patients at Morristown Medical Center.
“She is such a beautiful person and she’s always there for you” McGuinn said of Hedda.
“She never gives up, and her positivity is just the best. She is always so kind and we are so glad we can come out to support her” said Slaughter.
“She is so strong, and it’s such an inspiration not only to the middle school but to our whole town,” said Becht.
“We know she touches everyone in the community like she touches us,” Hedda’s mother, Camilla Sivertsson, said through tears. “She’s the one you want to care for as her parent, but she cares for you.”
Clearly, Hedda has touched an entire community. Hundreds of all ages and backgrounds came together to show their love for Hedda, and to remind her she is not alone as she continues her tremendous fight.
Bailey McGuinn is a junior at Morristown High school and a member of their theater program and its student board.
