Wildcats hit deep freeze to raise cold cash for Special Olympics
Wildcats scampered out of the chilly abyss after courageously sprinting into Lake Winnebago on February 10. Their pink cheeks and frozen fingers gave participants a rush of pride, but nothing could beat the satisfaction of supporting a local, beneficent cause.
Special Olympics is an organization that offers athletic training and events to children and adults with disabilities. The group embodies inclusion and kindness as members work their way into every athlete’s heart. However, they wouldn’t be able to hold the competitions without funding. Year after year, the Polar Plunge raises money and awareness to the group’s cause all across the state of Wisconsin.
O’Neil Honor Society advisor Sara Dobish offered the opportunity to society members.
“O’Neil is part of the National Honor Society chapter in the United States, and it’s for students who show excellent academics, good character, community support, and extracurricular activities,” she said. “To participate in the plunge, they have to raise money for Special Olympics. This money stays local in the Fox Valley and helps all of the student athletes in the area.”
While there is often a spotlight shed on the plunge itself, its intentions are what provide a steady pulse to warm every frozen heart involved. Fundraising from the event is how the Special Olympics bring sporting events to life and make every athlete feel exceptional.
“This year there were 20 participants, and we raised $3,100. My goal was 2000 dollars, and this goal really just depends on how many people register,” Dobish said. “There were a couple people who raised over 500 dollars, which is exciting.”
Dobish especially appreciates that the money stays local, and circles right back to benefit students she knows and loves.
“It’s really cool that the money stays local. We’re able to raise money, while doing something fun along with it,” she said. “Special Olympics as a whole is such a great program for people who have different abilities to be part of teams, do sports, learn something new, and be part of a community.”
To graduate with O’Neil cords, members must earn 100 “points” throughout the course of a school year. These points are earned by participating in various volunteer activities in the Oshkosh community, and students are typically awarded 25 points per activity. However, they were given an opportunity to double up, earning 25 points for donating to the cause, and 25 points for braving the numbing lake. The incentive encourages participation and heightens popularity among O’Neil members.
Junior Addisyn Liptow was motivated by the additional points and turned to family for support to surpass her personal donation goal.
“Raising money made me feel so proud of myself, like I was doing so much good for other people and the community,” she said.
After putting money in promising hands, Liptow prepared to take the next big leap. She felt a great range of emotions upon arrival Saturday morning.
“Considering this was my first time, I was very intimidated when I first got there. There were a lot of people and they had huge tents up, but the registration and everything was really simple,” she said. “The worst part was the anticipation and waiting in line to jump. You’re waiting in the wind, but we got lucky that it was a nice day. It wasn’t super cold outside and the water itself wasn’t too bad.”
Contrary to Liptow, senior Carly Salzer felt warm and welcome when she arrived.
“It was a very positive environment, everyone was really happy to be there. There were a lot of people who were dressed up, which made it really fun,” she said.
Dobish appreciates the eager attitude of students, but prefers to stay dry on the sidelines.
“I’m a very good cheerleader and a very good organizer, but I’m not jumping in the lake,” she said. “The kids get excited about jumping in for some bizarre reason. For them, it’s like a badge of honor to be able to do it.”
Junior and first time participant Lucy Whitcomb was among the O’Neil students who immediately jumped at the opportunity. She was excited to be pushed out of her comfort zone in a thrilling and chilling environment.
“Doing the Polar Plunge was always on my bucket list to try, and I thought it would be a good chance to do it,” she said.
Whitcomb was willing to be “freezin’ for a reason” despite limited background knowledge on the cause.
“I don’t know too much about Special Olympics, but I know it’s a really great cause that our community values and it benefits a lot of people,” she said.
While Whitcomb froze to the core, she maintained a warm, happy heart, partly due to the event’s attention to detail and efficient arrangements.
“When we got there and checked in, it was super quick and well organized. Then we got in line, and were able to jump pretty briefly afterwards,” she said. “Then, after the jump, we were able to warm up right away. They had nice warm tents and hot tubs to sit in. I would definitely do it again, it’s really fun to experience with friends. Plus it’s so easy, you just get in the water and right back out.”
Whitcomb was accompanied by junior Nicole Osborne, another first time plunger. The pair’s enthusiasm contributed to the warm atmosphere, despite the frigid air and intimidating waters.
“It was really cold, especially on my face, but afterwards, I felt much more energetic,” Osborne said. “I would for sure jump again.”
One notable difference was how participants soaked themselves head to toe. This was senior Kellyn Zehner’s second time partaking, and instead of the typical jump in, climb out experience, she ran in holding the hands of her peers.
“We ran in which was a little different but also fun because it was like a mini race. The cold only lasted a short time, and afterward I felt energized and happy,” Zehner said. “While the cold lasts a short instance, the impact on the community lasts longer.”
While West’s O’Neil Honor Society has been attending the event for over 15 years, DECA, the entrepreneur and leadership club, was proud to join them on the scene this year. Zehner was proud to participate on behalf of DECA this year and thoroughly recommends the event.
“One of my favorite parts is coming together with people from not only our community but surrounding areas as well and seeing the different groups take part in the plunge,” she said.
While senior Jessica Lin jokes that club advisor Scott Mankiewicz forced DECA to attend, she grew fond of the event, scraped knees and all.
“Even though I fell when I was running in, and my knees were all scratched and bruised, I really enjoyed it,” she said. “Things like the Special Olympics and Adaptive Sports League are very beneficial because all people should have the chance to participate in sports with their peers.”
Being an involved member of both swim team and track, Salzer recognizes the great impact social and mental impact athletic opportunities offer.
“High schoolers have so many opportunities to do sports, however people with disabilities don’t necessarily have the same opportunities, even though they have the same desire to participate,” she said. “There’s no reason not to give them a chance. I think it’s really important to give back so that everyone has equal opportunity.”
Imagining every smiling face as a finish line is crossed or a goal is accomplished provided great motivation as everyone sprinted into pure agony. Liptow was barely phased by the cold as she considered the significant difference in result to her seconds of suffering.
“Anything you can do to make people who feel they are less than those around them or are not included is an opportunity you should take, it means such a huge deal to them,” she said. “It reminds me of Care Days, where I was able to make people’s days and know that what I was doing made them so happy, as well as enabling an experience they don’t get everyday.”
Zehner summarized the event perfectly.
“It’s all about helping everyone reach their goals and full potential no matter their background, and supporting each other every step of the way,” she said.
by Jazmine Blustin
Published Febuary 26 2024
Oshkosh West Index volume 120 issue V