Donna Gregory’s Extraordinary People: Son of late WWAY anchor reflects on loss, growth at graduation

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — This graduation marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for a young man connected to the WWAY family.

Everett Hoerdemann, the son of late WWAY anchor Donna Gregory, graduated from Hoggard High School earlier this month.

“It’s crazy, it flew by so fast. I feel like I was just a freshman,” Hoerdemann said.

On the morning of his graduation, Hoerdemann received a graduation gift from his mother, a letter Donna wrote before her death.

He read it alone.

“It was sad, but it was also nice to know that she even thought about doing that for me. That just shows how much she loved me and it was nice to hear her words. Even though I was reading them I could still hear her, which was nice,” he said.

Hoerdemann played football all four years at Hoggard, helping lead the Vikings to a 12-win season. He also earned conference defensive player of the year honors.

Off the field, he graduated as a scholar-athlete, maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA throughout high school.

This summer, Hoerdemann will head to Wingate University, where he will continue his football career and study business.

Hoggard head football coach Craig Underwood said Hoerdemann’s growth stood out over four years, especially during a difficult season in his life.

“He could’ve just kind of cruised through and made excuses. Instead, he worked harder and harder and harder, and is continuing to,” Underwood said. “You can come by this field any afternoon, and he’s out here working.”

Underwood said one moment last fall stood out most, the first game after Gregory’s death.

“I told him, ‘buddy, you do not have to play,’ and he wanted to, and he went out and had just an incredible game. And you could see just the joy, he said ‘I know she’d be so proud of me,’ and I know she is,” Underwood said.

Even with success on the field and in the classroom, Hoerdemann said the loss of his mother remains with him.

“This past year, it’s been really hard. Just missing her every day, just missing her smile, missing just normal things. I even miss getting grounded or something, being disciplined or whatever. It’s definitely been hard, but I’ve had so much support from not only my family, but everyone in this town, in this community, and I can’t be more appreciative,” he said.

As he prepares for college, Hoerdemann said his mother’s presence is still felt.

“She was at every game, cheering her loudest. She was my biggest fan. I know that she would love to come to these upcoming games, but she would be so proud, and I know she is,” he said.

Through loss, grief and change, Hoerdemann said he is focused on continuing to grow as a student, athlete and person.

You can nominate someone for Donna Gregory’s Extraordinary People here. All honorees get a year of free car washes from Tommy’s Express Car Wash.

This segment honors Donna Gregory, a beloved WWAY anchor who died in 2024 after a battle with lung cancer.

View more Extraordinary People stories here.