Schools
West Allis Fatal Car Accidents Hit Close to Home at Whitnall High School
The school is holding a fundraiser for junior Allyssa Olson, whose mother and brother were killed in separate accidents April 29. Students can pay $2 to wear a hat during the school day, a tribute to Olson's late brother.
Students, teachers and administrators at Whitnall High School, are trying to bring some relief to one of their own who is coping with unimaginable circumstances.
Allyssa Olson, a junior, tragically lost her mother and brother in separate car accidents in West Allis on April 29.
Her mother, Mary Jane Moore, was run over and killed by a car while she was lying in the street. Earlier this week, it was reported that Moore might have been struck by another car minutes before being run over.
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A few hours later, Olson’s 22-year-old brother Thomas Olson was killed when the vehicle he was in, that was en route to the hospital so he could be with his mother, flipped and wrecked. The driver, Xavier Hughes, 21, had a blood alcohol content of 0.113 and has been charged with vehicular homicide.
Both Mary Moore and Thomas Olson were buried May 3.
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“The tragedy has left her with very limited resources, alone, and left to deal with the horrific reality of losing her family unexpectedly and tragically,” Whitnall High School Principal Anthony Brazouski said.
In an effort to help and support Olson, the student body will be raising money through an event called “Hats On for Allyssa.” For a minimum of a $2 donation, students may buy the privilege of wearing a hat in school, which is typically against the rules, on Friday. The “Hats On” tribute was chosen because Allyssa has been wearing her brother's hat since his passing in his remembrance, according to Brazouski.
Each donation buys the donor the hat-wearing privilege as well as a blue ribbon, Allyssa's late brother's favorite color.
Staff donations will be matched by administration.
The district is setting up a direct deposit account for Allyssa, but for now donations – checks made out to Whitnall High School with “Allyssa Olson” on the memo line – may be dropped off or sent to the high school main office.
Brazouski said the high school’s student senate plans to contact other area schools to try to gain their support for the cause.
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