There’s a fundraising competition heating up among Chesty Lions that will culminate with a chilly dip in a pool and, if organizers meet their goal, $10,000 for Special Olympics Kansas.
Lawrence High teacher Susie Mička and her students have encouraged individuals, athletic teams and clubs to challenge each other in their fundraising efforts to top the $8,200 they raised for the Polar Plunge in 2023. Organizers hope hosting the event on campus during an early-release Wednesday will facilitate more community and enthusiasm.
Then there’s the new, 8-foot-deep portable pool.
“Special Olympics is bringing a big outdoor tank that the fire department is filling,” Mička said.
Ashley Pippin, a spokesperson for Special Olympics Kansas, said in an email the mobile unit was new to the organization and offered “many more opportunities to hold Polar Plunges across Kansas.” Pippin provided a photo from the Cool School Plunge at Olathe West High School. The photo shows steps leading up to a high platform where participants can initiate their plunge as people below watch from a splash zone.
In previous years, participants have taken a weekend dip at an off-campus Lawrence apartment complex where experiences have run the gamut from dodging ice chunks in a swimming pool to feeling the warmth of a hot tub in 2023.
“The water was warm, but it was really cold and windy,” said Gunnar Wayenberg, a senior. No matter how low the temperature drops this year, it will be worth it, said Wayenberg, who plays golf and has taken ice baths for athletic recovery.
The Polar Plunge raises awareness and funds in support of Special Olympics sports competitions and leadership development for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Through Special Olympics’ shared fundraising, programs taught and sponsored by Mička will receive a portion of the money raised. Those are IPS (the interpersonal and communication skills class) and Unified Sports. Both give teens of all abilities opportunities to develop leadership skills side by side.
Once Mička and her students navigated the red tape involved with obtaining permission from the Lawrence school district for the pool to be placed outside between LHS’ main gym and auxiliary gym, they shifted focus to marketing. This year’s theme is “Together, We Freeze.”
On Tuesday, students brainstormed ideas on how to use lunch periods, social media and posters for promotion. They honed in on their goal of including the entire school community at the Polar Plunge.
Principal Quentin Rials called the event “an exciting opportunity.”
“This is a wonderful chance for the community to come together and show support for some of our Chesty Lion students as they attempt to raise funds for the Special Olympics,” Rials said in an email.
Although some students have chosen to pass on the chilly opportunity, others are still weighing whether they’ll take the plunge, including potential first-timer Alexis Jimenez, a sophomore.
Taylor Anderson, a senior, assured her friend he had plenty of time to decide. The event takes place on Valentine’s Day.
Those who raise $50 are eligible to take the plunge, and participants who raise $100 will receive a warm beanie.
To support the cause, visit the LHS fundraising page at this link.
As of Wednesday afternoon, LHS had raised more than $4,500.
The LHS Polar Plunge coincides with IPS’ annual application drive.
Senior Aubrey Augustine said the IPS experience had shown her the importance of including everyone while offering a new perspective.
Mička’s classroom is a safe atmosphere unlike any other school environment “where cliques aren’t a thing,” Augustine said, and everyone feels accepted.
She wants all students to have the opportunity to experience that and said it can start with an event like the Polar Plunge.
Junior Bryndal Hoover agreed.
Hoover said for years, she longed to become a part of the “genuine, family environment” that Mička fosters in her classroom.
Now Hoover’s finally part of IPS, learning new skills and making new friends.
And there’s another goal on her list she plans to cross off when the LHS Polar Plunge kicks off at 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
“I want one of those beanies,” Hoover said with a chuckle.
Community invited to plunge in separate event Feb. 17
Individuals and teams interested in participating in a community Polar Plunge that also benefits Special Olympics Kansas are invited to sign up for a second event.
“The event on Feb. 17th is the same idea, fundraise to take the icy plunge, except it is open to all of the Lawrence community, not limited to LHS students,” Pippin said.
The community plunge fundraising goal is $15,000 and is held in conjunction with the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Pippin said the event would include area police and fire departments as well as college students.
Since its inception in 1981, the torch run has raised more than $1 billion for Special Olympics awareness and resources, according to a news release from Special Olympics Kansas.
To register for the community Polar Plunge, visit plungeks.org, where donations also can be made. In-person registration on the day of the event begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 at Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana St.
Registration will be held inside the doors of the main gym (east gym) hallway. The opening ceremony kicks off the festivities and includes a costume contest based on this year’s theme. The plunge begins at noon.
Parking will be in the south lot. Parking in the north lot is reserved for the KC Metro Region Unified Sports Bocce Match Day participants.
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Tricia Masenthin (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at tmasenthin (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
