Powered by a rush of high spirits and balmy February weather, students and teachers from Lyons Township High School plunged into Lake Michigan.
About two dozen participants from LT took part in the event to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois. They, along with other plungers and supporters, gathered at Clark Street Beach in Evanston Saturday.
Though the temperature was in the 60s, special education teacher Brian Wolf who, with aviation teacher David Root, organized LT’s participation, said the ice-cold water had not yet caught up with the relatively warm air temperature.
“The water is still 31 to 32 degrees so there is an element of polarness to it,” said Wolf, who has done the plunge four times previously.
It was the second time that Jake Swiadek, 16, a junior at LT, ran into the water.
“It’s for a good cause. It’s really fun and you get cold for no reason,”” he said.
It was junior Nick Soto’s first time. He painted his body blue and gold to honor the high school’s colors.
He has a half-sister with Down syndrome, and has volunteered previously for Special Olympics events. He was looking forward to participating in the plunge.
“When I finally got into it at school, I was like, ‘Ha! Let’s do it,'” he said.
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Wolf said the plunge drew a few hundred people who were on the beach to cheer on the participants. One of those was Soto’s mother, Kelly King who had no problem giving her son permission to participate.
“His half-sister has Down syndrome, so this is something that is near and dear to him,” she said. “So when he asked me, I said, ‘Of course! By all means!'”
She was proud of all the LT students who, according to Wolf, raised about $12,000.
“I think it’s awesome to see the young people getting involved in something like this and being so enthusiastic about it,” King said. “It’s exciting for me to see the younger generation come in and have that willingness to help and participate for Special Olympics.
Wolf said the money raised will help students who have special needs take part in Special Olympics sporting events. The money will go to such expenses as travel, meals, medals and site cost.
He said there are about 50 students at LT who take part in different Special Olympics sports and he sees how it impacts their lives.
“I see first-hand the smiles,” he said. “They smile ear to ear and they bring their medals to school.”
Annemarie Mannion is a reporter for Pioneer Press. Taryn Galbreath is a freelance reporter.
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