Pilgrim Park bands together in support of severely injured student

Mike Sereno is trying to balance emotions at Pilgrim Park Middle School in the aftermath of learning that an eighth-grade classmate was seriously injured in a skiing accident Dec. 30 in Korea.

Emotions are high among staff and students because Brookfield resident Kerwin Hackett at last report was unconscious in a Seoul, Korea, hospital.

"I have a hard time thinking about all of this because it's so sad," said Sereno, Pilgrim Park's principal. "We don't completely know the extent of the injuries or whether he will recover. I know there is a lot of hope among everyone here, but I am trying to keep a realistic sense of the situation so no one gets their hopes up too high."

Reports indicate that although Kerwin was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, he suffered a brain injury. Unconscious as of a few days ago, Kerwin reportedly has shown signs of progress. He has displayed good reflexes and has opened his eyes.

In response to the incident, eighth-graders, led by their teachers, have collected a lot of money for the family over the past few weeks. In fact, about a dozen large water jugs have been nearly filled and now deposited with North Shore Bank.

Teacher Barb Wood said the collection was a huge success, estimating that it garnered between $4,000 and $5,000. She also said it probably was therapeutic for everyone who knows Kerwin.

"We're all hopeful that Kerwin will recover and can come home," Wood said. "We all just wanted to do something for the family.

"The important thing about what the school's reaction to this is, is how the community has come together."

She said it was no accident that North Shore Bank volunteered to get involved or that someone connected with the Milwaukee Symphony collected $600 from that organization.

"It is a remarkable response," she said.

Kerwin was visiting family on his mother's side at the time of the accident.