Counselors on hand in Marion schools

MARION - In Marion, a town of a little more than 1,200 people, the school district serves nearly 500 students.

And district leaders say the weekend's deadly crash is affecting students, faculty and staff.

"This was a wonderful family. It's a huge loss to our district and to the communities in our district," said Michael Gaunt, the Marion School District Administrator.

Counselors were on hand at Marion High School and the elementary school Monday after three students were killed in a Kentucky car crash Saturday.

Sereena Gollnow, 18, Gabriel Zumig, 10, and Soledad Smith, 8, were killed when the SUV they were riding in was struck from behind by a semi truck on Interstate 65 near Louisville. Also killed in the crash were Sereena's parents, James and Barbara Gollnow, both 62, and a Marion Chapnoise, 92. The elder Gollnows were the foster parents of Gabriel and Soledad. All lived in the town of Pella in Shawano County.

Also injured in the crash were the Gollnows' two other foster children, Hope Hoth, 15, and Aidian Ejnik, 12. Hoth was taken to a hospital in Lexington, suffering from burns and a broken spine; Ejnik was taken to a Louisville hospital with cuts to the head.

Gaunt says the district is focusing on helping the students understand the loss of Gabriel Zumig, Soledad Smith and Sereena Gollnow.

"We have counselors on hand; we've had area clergy who have volunteered to help. We've been working closely with the Marion Police Department,” said Gaunt. “We've just had a huge outpouring of support here."

Gaunt says the district is also trying to bring some semblance of normalcy to the school day.

"Clearly, it's a very sad time for us. But we are talking with the kids and we're trying to keep things as normal and on pace, and go about educating our children as we can," said Gaunt.

Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home in Clintonville is handling the arrangements for the Gollnows and Chapnoise. Eberhardt-Stevenson tells FOX 11 it's not known what the arrangements for Gabriel and Soledad will be, but expects services to be held in other parts of the state.

The funeral home says, at the family's request, no further information will be given to the media at this time.
As of Monday afternoon, memorial services for the Gollnows and Chapnoise are still pending.