The song of the day could have been “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.”
What a warm and sunny day it was for the Polar Plunge last Saturday at Valparaiso University. But the plunge into the ice cold water was definitely “Freezin’ for a Reason.” The sunshine warmed cold bodies up much faster than usual, and that was a blessing. The After Bash, with pizza, wings, popcorn and a variety of desserts, warmed up tummies pretty quickly.
From all our Area 1 athletes, a big and sincere thank you to all of you who took part in this Special Olympics Indiana fundraiser. Their programs can continue to help athletes grow and glow physically, socially and joyfully. Whether you were a plunger or a pledger, whether you came to cheer or work, whether you baked or poured, whether you are young or old, your gift to the athletes will keep them active and smiling all year.
A favorite memory from this year’s plunge was watching a little guy, about 7 years old, burst into tears as his mom jumped into the water with a yell, and hurriedly climbed out, shivering. She was met with, “Are you hurt, Mommy? Are you sick?” Her wet hug and smile assured him that it was “fun,” but he didn’t let go of her even as she headed for the warmer locker room. It was a show of true love.
Two young ladies, both freshman at Valpo University, dressed as Dr. Seuss characters Thing 1 and Thing 2 and were my favorite plungers. Tara Beere and Holly Taylor want to be volunteers for our Porter County Special Olympics. That deserved a warm hug too. Thank you VU Police Department, staff and students, as well as high school students, firemen, Knights of Columbus, prison guards, local athletes, teachers and special Olympics parents for a super successful sunny plunge. You are all my pet persons of the week for caring about our athletes. And thank you, Mother Nature, for holding off the snow and cold until we were all back in our warm abodes.
The high school students who take advantage of Porter County Career and Technical Center vocational programs often have a head start on job opportunities when they graduate. Some young men who are taking auto tech classes are especially fortunate.
Colton Flanigan of Kouts and Joseluis Rangel of Hobart spend one day at the career center with instructor Karl Sickles and four days at Mike Anderson Chevrolet in Merrillville on a work-study program. With a cooperative agreement between Ivy Tech, Anderson Chevrolet and GM Corporation, these two students will be earning their associate degree through Ivy Tech, become GM certified mechanics, and within two years, they will be classified full time technicians through Anderson Chevrolet — and have no education debt to pay. Rather, they’ll have a career doing what they love.
Then there is Cody Short, of Chesterton, who is an apprentice at Greiger Motors, where he spends four days on a work-study program, and one day at the career center. Cody is working with the Chrysler Corporation on computer courses that end with the status of full technician.
All three students were recommended for these super programs by Sickles, and will have a salary that tops his when they complete their work-study program. Certainly being car/truck doctors will be a profession that will always be in demand, so learning what you love will always have these young men love what they’re doing. Just like a “people doctor”, they will know our vehicles inside and out, and make them all better.
Our area is so fortunate to have the Porter County Career and Technical Center providing students with so many varieties of professions which will benefit all of us in the future. So be happy, and I hope you have a great day because you deserve it. Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.
Lorrie Woycik is a freelance columnist for the Post-Tribune.