09/09/2026
Thank You From the Lincoln School District
Over the past few weeks, our Lincoln family has experienced an outpouring of kindness, compassion, and support that is difficult to put into words. In the days following Adam’s passing, neighboring school districts immediately reached out and asked, “What can we do?” Counselors from Black River Falls, Eleva-Strum, Whitehall, Osseo-Fairchild, CESA 4, and others came to Lincoln to help support our students and staff as we returned to school. Schools and organizations shared grief resources, offered guidance, loaned equipment, provided meals and snacks, and simply made sure we knew we were not navigating these difficult days alone.
That support extended far beyond our neighboring communities. School districts and athletic programs from across Wisconsin reached out with messages of sympathy and encouragement. Schools held moments of silence before football games. Teams and communities raised funds to support Adam’s family. Coaches, administrators, students, and families whom we had never met sent messages reminding us that the school and athletic communities of Wisconsin were standing with Lincoln.
Here at home, the response was equally remarkable. When our school was asked to host Adam’s visitation and funeral services, volunteers came together to transform our gym and commons and then returned afterward to help put our school back together. The Black River Falls School District loaned hundreds of tables and chairs. Community volunteers helped with parking, and countless individuals quietly stepped forward wherever something needed to be done. Our staff was cared for as well. Melrose-Mindoro, Eleva-Strum, PIC, EO Johnson, and others provided meals, snacks, and other thoughtful gestures during an incredibly difficult first week of school, with additional support continuing in the days and weeks ahead.
Our football players and coaches have also been surrounded by support. The Alma Center Assembly Church, Mooche’s Pizzeria, Matt and Megan Stuessel, Kevin and Michelle Forsting, our Elementary staff, the Black River Falls football program, and others have provided team meals and opportunities for our players to simply spend time together. We are also grateful to our county partners and Clark & Jackson County CISM team for providing resources and support to our students, families, staff, and coaches throughout this process.
There are far more people, schools, churches, businesses, organizations, teams, volunteers, and communities who have supported Lincoln than we could possibly name in one post. We know that attempting to list everyone would inevitably mean leaving someone out.
So, to everyone who sent a message, made a phone call, brought food, provided counseling support, donated, volunteered, loaned equipment, attended a service, offered a parking space, fed our football team, held a moment of silence, wore Lincoln colors, prayed for our students and families, or simply let us know you were thinking of us:
Thank you.
We have been reminded that the Lincoln family extends well beyond the walls of our schools and the boundaries of our District. The kindness shown to our students, staff, Adam’s family, and our entire community will not be forgotten.
Thank you, from all of us at the Lincoln School District.
