Returning from their JEA Minneapolis trip, adviser Leslie Fireman and 12 students from the Wildcat Chronicle identified an oil leak in the West Chicago Community High School minibus at the Safety Rest Area 9 in Lyndon Station, Wisconsin, at 1:50 p.m. on April 19.
The group departed the Hilton Garden Inn in Minneapolis at approximately 8:25 a.m., with a stop at Minnehaha Falls in Minnesota, followed by a rest stop at McDonald’s and Speedway in Osseo, Wisconsin. After these stops, the group continued toward Illinois.
Approximately one hour later, seniors David Weber and Alyson Dusing asked Fireman to pull over to use the restroom. After returning to the bus, one student noticed an oil leak beneath the vehicle, as well as smoke, and informed Fireman.
Soon after, students exited the bus and remained near the rest stop building while Fireman contacted Activities Director Dave Jennings. Jennings then contacted Athletic Director Nick Parry. After several phone calls involving Jennings, Fireman, and Parry, a plan was created: another minibus would be driven to the rest stop, which was approximately three hours away, and the group would then continue home.
“Okay, we have an update, Baltazar will be coming to pick us up in a new minibus, but alas, he is three hours away, so let’s hope we brought some games,” Fireman said.
While some students waited inside the rest stop, others stayed outside on picnic tables, eating and drawing to pass the time. The Wisconsin State Police were contacted to ensure the safety of the students and to report the disabled vehicle.
State Trooper J.R. Tobin of the Wisconsin State Police spoke briefly with Fireman, checking on the safety of those involved and allowing the bus to remain overnight before being removed.
Minutes later, Lauren Stewart, head of the English department, contacted Fireman for an update.
Stewart then reached out to families to inform them of the situation via email.
Hello families,
We wanted to inform you about an unexpected delay affecting the return trip to WeGo today. This afternoon, a mechanical issue was detected on the bus, so our Chronicle students and staff will need to wait at a rest stop until a replacement bus and staff member arrive.
A member of the West Chicago High School staff is expected to arrive at the break area at 5:00 p.m. Therefore, the Chronicle team anticipates returning to West Chicago Community High School between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. tonight.
All students are safe, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to get everyone home as soon as possible. We will inform you if there are any changes to the expected arrival time.
Thank you,
Lauren Stewart
For nearly four hours, students and staff waited at Lyndon Station, where they passed the time by playing games, drawing, sleeping, eating snacks, or completing homework.
“It was a pretty chill time. I just got to do more team bonding. We all decided to survive together,” senior reporter Tommy Weber said.
Fireman attempted to order food for delivery, but no local restaurants would deliver to the highway rst stop.
Baltazar Padilla, building maintenance and grounds custodian, arrived with the additional bus at 5:45 p.m.
Students boarded the second bus after clearing the original bus of trash and belongings. Around 7 p.m., the group stopped at a gas station and Hardee’s for fuel and food.
At 9:15 p.m., the bus arrived at West Chicago Community High School, where families were waiting to pick up students.
