WILMINGTON, N.C. – Wilmington Christian Academy rising senior, Lindsay Benton, died from injuries she sustained in a car crash last week.
Benton, 17, was the co-captain of the school’s varsity cheerleading team.
Her coach, Julie Rickard, said Benton had a calling to be a doctor. Though she wasn’t able to accomplish that goal — she still managed to save lives.
Rickard said Benton’s organs were donated to four people in need of transplants.
“It’s amazing to me that even through this tragedy that the lord is using her to save lives,” Rickard said. “It may not be the way that we thought and how she thought her life was going to go, but her goals are still being accomplished.”
Benton was in a car accident outside the Compass Pointe community in Leland Aug. 21, the day before classes started at Wilmington Christian Academy. Benton died Aug. 28 in the hospital.
Rickard said Benton was a vital member of last year’s National Championship cheerleading team for WCA.
“I think for me going into this next year she’s made me bring my level of what I expect from my team a little higher. She really wanted to be the best that she could be and it was a challenge that I don’t plan on letting go of anytime soon.”
Principal Craig Tucker said Benton has been a part of the WCA family since she was four years old. He said she was one of 35 seniors set to graduate in 2017. Students signed a banner in her memory during school on Monday.
Officials announced Monday that the junior varsity and varsity girl’s volleyball games between WCA and Hoggard were postponed.