Wheaton Teachers: Megan Boken Was a Leader, 'Got Along With Everybody'

The Wheaton community is mourning the loss of , a leader who showed promise, determination and compassion from a young age.

"She was a wonderful kid," said Bill Cashin, who taught Boken in middle school gym and religion classes at St. Michael's School.

She was "kind of a quiet girl, a very good athlete, a good student, which is the most important thing. And, I just remember, she was always very nice to everyone in her peer group, which can be a problem at that age. That was Megan."

Peggy Flynn, who taught Boken in 7th- and 8th-grade English and reading classes, said Boken was a "very interested student... a leader in her own way."

Flynn recalled Boken excelling in sports, and seeing her perform in the St. Michael's presentation of Guys and Dolls in 2003.

"Anything that came up, she could deal with it," Flynn said. "She probably had great memories of (St. Michael's and St. Francis), because she was that type of person who really got along with everybody.

"I can't put it into words what I feel in terms of shock (and the loss) for the (Boken) family, but the St. Michael community is rallying... and we are all praying for the family," Flynn said.

In a YouTube video made for Boken on her senior day last year, St. Louis University coach Anne Kordes said two words that describe Boken are "hardworking and hilarious."

Kordes said Boken, the only senior on the team her senior season, did a "fantastic" job leading her team. "I cannot even recall her ever missing a practice, much less a match. I couldn't be more thankful she decided to come to St. Louis."

Boken graduated with a business degree from St. Louis University in 2011.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Boken was found about 2:20 p.m. Saturday with gunshot wounds to her neck and chest. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Boken’s family issued a statement to multiple news outlets over the weekend.

"Megan was a wonderful and beautiful human being loved by everyone she met. The family and the community are devastated by this senseless tragedy. And the family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of support. The initial reports that Megan knew her attacker are no longer believed to be true. The family asks that you keep Megan and them in your thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy at this time."

Boken was born June 15, 1989 in Santa Monica, Calif. She attended St. Michael Catholic School and St. Francis High School in Wheaton, where she led the school's volleyball team to state titles in 2004 and 2006. She continued her volleyball career at St. Louis University.

A visitation service for Boken, 23, will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at . A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at in Wheaton.

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