On March 6, to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois, Lemont High School joined many other schools in hosting the “Cool School” Polar Plunge Challenge.
“Students and staff get unified to #PlungeIllinois and support Special Olympics athletes locally and across Illinois… The Polar Plunge is a great team-building experience, strengthening our school community, while also teaching students the responsibility of citizenship,” Kelly Lucio, Director of Special Education Services, said in an email to students.
Students and staff were invited to take the plunge individually or with a team. Many people participated in both ways.
“The polar plunge is awesome, and I think it’s for a good cause and that it’s so great to see how many people are out here supporting it,” senior Mallory Corse said.
A total of 169 students and staff participated in the plunge, with a total of 15 teams participating, raising over $14,300 as a school, falling just short of their goal of $15,000.
“Special Olympics is really near and dear to my heart. One of my cousins has been a special olympian since she was very young, so it’s really important to me to raise awareness and make sure that kids know how special an organization the Special Olympics are,” Denise Dalton, Student Services Chair, said.
Students and staff who did not take the plunge were invited to spectate the event, as well as other community members.
“The polar plunge is awesome, I think it’s really great that all of our school and our community came out to support the Special Olympics and Lemont High School,” Meagan Drummond, Lemont High School social worker, said.
Lemont is in one of many Special Olympics Illinois regions and will have an opportunity to be the “Coolest School” in their region and statewide by “making the biggest splash”. Each region will name the school that makes the most money the “Coolest School” and will receive a school pizza party, trophy and ultimate bragging rights.
