St. Bernard community prays for Wilson brothers
Oct. 18—MONTVILLE — Lacrosse team captains on Friday morning placed team jerseys on the St. Bernard School auditorium stage to pray for the recovery of 17-year-old Skyler Wilson and remember his brother, 14-year-old Carson Wilson.
Other members of the team stood in the aisle and formed an arch with their sticks as the captains walked to the stage.
The jerseys were placed next to photographs of the two brothers, and flowers, a candle, and a table draped with a red St. Bernard School banner during a prayer service for the Wilson brothers.
Carson Wilson of Groton, a freshman at St. Bernard School, died after a car crash Monday on Fishtown Road in Mystic.
Skyler Wilson, a senior at St. Bernard School, as well as Kais Shiman, 17, of Mystic, and Alex Quilter, 18, of Groton, were seriously injured. The last update police received is that they remained hospitalized, Town of Groton Police Chief L.J. Fusaro said Friday.
During the service, students and lacrosse team members read scriptures and prayers at the podium. They said prayers for the gift of Carson's life and his joy, smiles and teamwork and for the full recovery of Skyler, as well as Shiman and Quilter.
Students and staff prayed for the Wilson family, including the boys' sister, Bella, an eighth grade student at St. Bernard, and the school community, as well as the families of the other injured boys, first responders and medical staff.
Donald Macrino, head of school, told about 300 students, along with staff members at the service, that they were here as a community and will look out for each other.
"That's what you have to do in times like this," he said. "Look out for each other."
After the service, the lacrosse team huddled together as David Howes, head coach for the St. Bernard-Wheeler boys lacrosse team, spoke to them about how no one ever wants to experience tragedy, especially this young, but he is proud of how they have been supporting each other, Skyler and his family.
He asked them to think of ways to continue to do this.
Macrino said in an interview after the service that Carson and Skyler started at St. Bernard School this year and it was notable how quickly they became part of the community, made friends and got to know everyone within the relatively small school.
Macrino said Carson was described by one of his teachers as the "ray of sunshine" in class. He would enter the class everyday with a smile and be the one to get the rest of the class in a good mood with his wonderful sense of humor.
Macrino said the school community is praying for the full recovery of Skyler, who found his way into the hearts of the senior class. He said he can tell by his teammates' reaction that they really love him.
Elic Lebron, 18, a senior on the lacrosse team, said Carson was a bright kid who always had good energy and was funny. Lebron said if he was having a bad day, Carson would always make him smile.
Like his brother, Skyler is a bright and energetic kid, Lebron said, and the school community is praying for Skyler's recovery. He said the lacrosse team has "lots of love" for the brothers.
Howes said Skyler played on the St. Bernard-Wheeler lacrosse team while a freshman and sophomore at Wheeler High School, attended Fitch High School in Groton last year, and this year he and Carson enrolled at Saint Bernard. He said they were excited to have them both on the team this season
"They're an amazing family," Howes said of the Wilsons. "Skyler is an amazing big brother."
Ben Howes, 17, a senior and captain of the lacrosse team, described Carson as a "kind soul."
Howes said he is praying and hoping for the best for Skyler, who he described as one of the funniest kids he ever met.
Johannes Zachhuber, 18, senior and lacrosse captain, said Carson was like "a little brother to everyone."
In a Facebook post this week, Chris Wilson paid tribute to his son, Carson, and his passion for life, determination, athleticism, spirit, humor, intelligence, and kindness.
"In everything he did, he was a superstar ― whether it was on the field, with a pencil in hand, making us laugh, or just being the amazing person he was. He was, and always, will be, our sunshine," Wilson wrote.
GoFundMe pages have been set up for the families and youths:
