Community pays tribute to life of Natalie Insley
It’s been about a month and a half since Bennett high school student Natalie Insley was tragically killed in a car accident on Sharptown Road in early August. Since then, the community has been keeping her spirit alive, remembering her in a number of ways including on Thursday when the Mardela girls soccer team hosted Bennett.
Each team member painted their faces with both teams colors to symbolize their love and recognition of Natalie’s life. 47 ABC spoke with Alyssa Dunning, Natalie Insley’s cousin. Dunning tells 47 ABC, “She had a special relationship with everyone, she loved everyone in their own different way. She was like my best friend all the time, we were everywhere together so it was really special to have her around, she would’ve loved to be here right now.”
Players from both teams payed tribute to Natalie, carrying aqua colored balloons onto the field and releasing them in her honor. Dunning tells 47 ABC that aqua was her favorite color. Dunning says, “I’m out here just doing it for her just having fun so today means a lot for Bennett to be here that was like her home school.”
Rachael Fritts is a senior at Bennett and says Insley was a bright person who made everyone happy. When asked how Natalie might feel about today, Fritts tells 47 ABC, “I think she would be really happy to see two schools that both miss her.”
Bennett girls soccer coach Ed O’Leary says the competitive history between the schools is nothing compared to the importance of the tribute. O’Leary tells 47 ABC, “We put aside the rivalry for one day. We all live in this community and its our community, even if we have different high schools, it’s irrelevant, we need to heal together.”
Mariah Sterrertt is a senior at Mardella and she says Natalie was one of her best friends. Sterrertt tells 47 ABC, “Her sense of humor was definitely the best thing about her. It’s definitely been a hard process but it’s definitely been one of the most encouraging experiences with all of us coming together and definitely just being there for each other. The whole community has just been over pouring with support and I just feel like there couldn’t be a better way to honor her and bring the school and community together.”
Bennett may have won the match, but Mardela soccer coach Catie Krygeris tells 47 ABC, “This was bigger than a soccer game today and I think they all knew that in their hearts and the way they played.”
To end the tribute, Dunning spoke about her cousin before an enormous crowd saying “I ask that everyone walks away with one thing that I say, don’t forget her don’t be afraid about the tough times and remember to keep her legacy alive every day, she really is a good luck charm, stay Natalie strong.”
17-year old mardela basketball player, Tyler Ennis was also seriously injured in the car crash and 47 ABC reached out to an Athletic Director at Mardela who says Tyler is doing well and can now walk with the assistance of a walker.
