Hoggard graduate remembers late mother Donna Gregory on graduation day

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hundreds of seniors from Hoggard High School celebrated graduation Saturday afternoon, marking the end of their high school careers and the beginning of a new chapter.

Family members and friends filled Trask Coliseum at the University of North Carolina Wilmington to watch graduates walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.

The ceremony included remarks from faculty members and students before the graduating class was recognized individually.

Among the graduates was Everett Hoerdemann, the son of former WWAY anchor Donna Gregory. Gregory died in 2024 after battling lung cancer.

Hoerdemann said his mother had prepared letters for major milestones in his life, including his graduation day.

“She actually wrote me a bunch of letters for major events so my sister gave me this letter today and she was just so proud of me and giving me advice as she does,” Hoerdemann said. “So she would’ve just been so proud, she would’ve been up there whistling as loud as she could.”

The graduation ceremony was one of several held across New Hanover County over the weekend as seniors celebrated earning their diplomas.

Despite a reminder from school officials not to do so, many graduates ended the ceremony by tossing their caps into the air.

WWAY plans to speak with Hoerdemann again later this month about his plans for the future.