By Annie Heath, Editor-in-Chief
Gwen Botson possessed many traits. People knew her to be radiant, hilarious, strong and loving. A standout surfer and lacrosse player. A one-of-a-kind friend and a supportive teammate.
One thing she most definitely was not was a quitter.
The Outer Banks knows Gwen for the battle she fought the last two years against cancer, but the community also knows and loves Gwen for the legacy she has now left behind.
Happy memories mixed with overwhelming sadness have overshadowed the community this month after the news of Gwen’s passing on March 2, less than two years after a shocking diagnosis of ovarian and cervical cancer. Since that original diagnosis first rocked the First Flight and OBX community, Gwen has been an inspiration in countless ways.
Gwen Botson never gave up on fighting for what she wanted. From playing lacrosse to joining the Class of 2023 at graduation last June, Gwen never let this battle take her personality. She persevered through the unimaginable – yet always seemed to have that unforgettable bright smile on her face.
English teacher Katherine Clagett taught Gwen the spring semester of her senior year. While Gwen was not in class much at that time due to endless medical treatments, Clagett used the adjective “solid” to describe Gwen.
A solid fighter. A solid teammate. A solid friend. Gwen is more than just the strong person who put up such a hard fight, she was a deeply loved and appreciated classmate.
Senior Sara Towler is a former lacrosse teammate and friend of Gwen’s. Towler recounted how Gwen cared for those around her and never failed to make everyone feel loved and seen. Towler fondly remembered the times she and Gwen spent together, driving aimlessly and partaking in long conversations. She shared that Gwen really was a special friend, always there to check up on her friends and be a listening ear whenever needed.
So many members of the OBX community were touched by Gwen’s story and inspired by her strength. But it was not just her fight against cancer that inspired Towler, but who Gwen was on the inside.
“She was so inspiring. She’s just so creative and I love the way her mind worked. She inspires me to be like her, more creative and artistic and just strong-minded,” Towler said.
Senior Kellen Morris, also a former teammate and companion of Gwen’s, gave insight on the impact that Gwen made across the women’s lacrosse team.
“She had a really big impact on our team even before she got diagnosed with cancer,” Morris said. “She always tried to hype everyone up and just made everyone feel better about themselves as a player.”
Morris added that the team’s goal for the past season and going into this spring has been to play for Gwen and make her proud. Her positive attitude and support for the team is sure to continuously ripple through the players as they take the field this season for her.
“As a teammate, she was definitely a leader,” Morris said. “She was just so easy to get along with and everyone was comfortable talking with her and being friends with her.”
And as a friend, Morris elaborated on Gwen’s ability to get along with others so naturally. Morris recalled how easy it was to talk to Gwen, who always shared opinions and never failed to create an enjoyable conversation.
Gwen achieved an abundance of things in her lifetime. Some accomplishments in the past two years were even deemed to be “against-all-odds,” including earning a spot on the Belmont Abbey College lacrosse team. That’s who Gwen was: She was never going to let someone tell her no, and she was always going to try.
Ultimately, the spirited fighter everyone came to know through her mom’s Facebook posts and CaringBridge updates touched countless lives. English teacher Lauren Deal taught Gwen’s older brother twice, allowing her to become familiar with the Botson family, and following Gwen’s story was a heart-breaking experience.
“Even though I never taught Gwen or Logan, I really admired the way that they both, as well as their parents, were handling everything that the universe was suddenly throwing at them,” Deal said. “They’re good people and our community has embraced them exactly the way one would hope in a situation like this.”
Learn more about Gwen and how to support her family in her obituary.
Senior Annie Heath can be reached at heathan3845@daretolearn.org.
