KENOSHA, Wis. – On Monday evening, just before sunset, more than 30 of Addison “Addi” McBride’s closest friends gathered at Kenosha’s Eichelman Park to honor the life of the 15-year-old Tremper High School sophomore who passed away unexpectedly last week.
It was a gathering as spontaneous, beautiful, and heartfelt as Addi herself.
Friends arrived carrying balloons—many with handwritten notes scrawled across the surface, others decorated with drawings and portraits of Addi. The group shared hugs, memories, and tears before walking down together to the beach that Addi loved so dearly.
There, as the waves rolled in, they released their balloons into the sky in a quiet, emotional tribute.
But the evening didn’t end there.
In a move that felt both impulsive and deeply fitting, Addi’s father, Dan McBride, her mother Kristy, and several of the teens rushed into the cold lake water—laughing, splashing, and embracing the chill in the spirit of Addi, who was known for her love of swimming and for living in the moment.
“She loved the lake. She loved to swim. She loved to just go for it,” one of her classmates said. “It felt like something she would’ve wanted us to do.”
Dozens of balloons dotted the sky, while the group stood in the lake, holding onto each other, the air heavy with grief—but also filled with love and the echoes of Addi’s joy.
Her family continues to face significant financial burdens related to her death. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help Dan and Kristy with funeral costs and other expenses during this unimaginable time. Donations can be made at:
[GoFundMe].
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