The full sunshine and temps in the low 60s were a welcome contrast to arctic wind chills a week ago. Still, that combination proved a bit deceptive Thursday afternoon as students and educators took the Special Olympics Polar Plunge outside Lawrence High School.
As for how it felt to jump into the cold water to one LHS freshman, “Really, really, really not good, but I’d still do it again,” said Warren Couvillon as he searched for a warm spot in the sun. “Because it’s for a good cause, and also it’s fun.”
The reason for the freezing: a big fundraiser. As of publication time, the Chesty Lions had raised $16,600 to benefit Special Olympics Kansas (SOK) programs. Students and staff at Billy Mills Middle School had raised $1,200.
Altogether, about 150 people entered the 5-foot-deep portable pool filled with frigid fire hydrant water.
Ben Langley, a BMMS seventh grader, and his sister Izzy Langley, an LHS freshman, were some of the first to take the plunge. They raised $264.
“When you first go in, it just goes all the way over you, and then my hair got in my face when I was coming up, so I couldn’t really see. It shocks you,” Izzy said.
Their schools’ Unified Sports programs, which allow students with and without intellectual disabilities to play sports, compete together, and test their leadership skills, will benefit directly by receiving a portion of the profits.
Another component of the event involves increasing awareness about SOK activities and promoting meaningful social inclusion. While some participants left as soon as they plunged, others covered themselves with a fluffy robe, a towel or a blanket to stay warm and stuck around to eat a banana or support others.
Some participants earned incentives such as a beanie or a hoodie for their fundraising efforts.
With encouragement from her friend and fellow senior Bryndal Hoover, Ashley White took the plunge.
“It feels cold,” Ashley said. “It was fun.”
Ashley’s mom stood nearby supporting them with tears in her eyes.
“We’re sending off our senior year,” Laura White said. “This is the first year she’s ever done it. She wanted to send off her senior year in style with that hoodie.”
With the large crowd chanting his name, Richie Outcalt decided not to jump into the pool, but he was game for standing in front of it and getting really wet. Wyatt Hendrix obliged his friend with a big jump and Richie received a big birthday splash. He turns 17 on Friday.
Sopping wet, both juniors immediately wrapped themselves in towels.
“That’s crazy,” Richie said with a laugh.
Wyatt said the event promoted inclusion by bringing so many people together, including those who don’t currently participate in Unified Sports or the popular Including People Selflessly, or IPS, program.
“It’s just such a big event, the whole school, not just IPS,” Wyatt said. “Just getting the whole school to come and plunge for a good cause, I think that’s helping get the name out there.”
On Saturday, community members held the Lawrence Polar Plunge. The annual fundraiser, hosted by SOK and the Law Enforcement Torch Run, raised nearly $30,000, according to its online fundraising page.
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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.
Molly Adams (she/her), photojournalist and news operations coordinator for The Lawrence Times, can be reached at molly@lawrencekstimes.com. Check out more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
