1. POLAR PLUNGE
By: Emily Johnson
March 30, 2015
Logan County plunges into freezing water for worthy cause
Citizens of Logan County and students from Lincoln College plunged into
Lincoln Lakes on Saturday, March 21st.
But why would anyone even think about swimming in March? Special
Olympics is the answer.
“Polar plunge is a national fundraiser for Special Olympics of Illinois.
Each participant who wants to go in the water must raise $75 and with that
are given the opportunity to plunge,” says Lincoln College professor and
head of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Spring Hyde.
Special Olympics is an international competition in which mentally and
physically handicapped athletes compete.
In 16 years, $12.3 million has been raised nationally thanks to Polar Plunge.
Planning the event takes quite a bit of work and requires many volunteers.
Everything involving the event must be donated including the location,
buses, sweatshirts, lunches, and prizes for the participants.
Although Logan County has been doing this for 10 years now, this is the
third Polar Plunge Lincoln College has been involved in.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society was one group from the college and have plunged the past three
years. They join other teams in wearing matching costumes to make things more fun.
Some students who were brave enough to dive in included freshman PTK member Zoe Nepolello and
sophomore Alan Rasnic, who each recommend participating to everyone.
Nepolello claimed Polar Plunge to be a friendly and upbeat environment while Rasnic, a second-year
participant recalled, “It was fun with me and all my friends. We were getting all pumped up. It was
awesome.”
Those who chose to stay warm raised the money and volunteered their time to help out.
Tavion Neal, a sophomore and lynx mascot wore the uniform to the event. His favorite part was
“being in the suit and seeing people smile.”
“The best part of the event is always seeing the Special Olympic athletes run in and plunge
themselves, said Hyde. “To see the athletes who benefit from Special Olympics giving back and truly
understanding what it means…I think more people should have more genuine hearts.”
At the end of it all, Lincoln College raised approximately $4,000 while Logan County raised more
than $30,000. The Special Olympics basketball team proved the event was worth it, winning first
place in their basketball tournament.
Front of the 2015 Polar Plunge Sweatshirt