A Woman to inspire

Inspiration may be found in many ways, but for the students, staff and even many visitors to Hayesville Middle School, Mary Cothren is an inspiration. Everyone who walks through the school’s front doors is greeted with a warm smile by Cothren, the school’s administrative assistant. 

For the last few months, the mother of 11 has been an even bigger source of inspiration to others as she has battled cancer. Stage two Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, the aggressive, fast-growing cancer Cothren is fighting, has not dampened her spirits. Even when explaining her prognosis, Cothren smiles.