More than 40 McHenry Community High School students, staff and community members lined up to plunge into an inflatable pool filled with cold water on a sunny 27-degree Saturday morning. The polar plunge was the school’s first to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.
McHenry High School District 156 raised $4,900 for the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge via the Cool School Challenge. It is the first school in McHenry County to take on the challenge and, so far, the fourth-highest fundraising school in the state, according to the Plunge Illinois website.
The Cool School Challenge fundraiser brings polar plunging directly onto school campuses across Illinois to support Special Olympics Illinois athletes with year-round training and competition, as well as leadership, personal development and health education opportunities. This year, 36 schools signed up.
McHenry High School Special Education Director Peter Schmidtknecht has been a volunteer with Special Olympics and knew the school had to sign up when he heard about the new Cool School Challenge initiative.
“Now more than ever, it’s important to take initiative to include all people of all abilities,” he said.
Local students benefit from the fundraiser as money goes to programs and sport tournaments. Some McHenry students participated in the state basketball series, others are ramping up for track and field this summer, Schmidtknecht said.
Each plunger raised a minimum of $100. District 156 Superintendent Ryan McTague and fellow administrators took the plunge and raised more than $2,000. Members of the boys wrestling team also braved the cold and raised more than $1,400.
Boys wrestling coach Donnie Hallin said the team came together after a wrestler’s mom suggested they fundraise.
“I love the camaraderie of this team,” he said. “If one is going to do something, they all do it together.”
Some waded in the water while others belly flopped into the pool, splashing any supporters who were standing too close. Hallin went back a second time to fully submerge himself after his athletes booed him for just walking through the water.
District 156 Student Activities Director Mitch Stengel said in a news release that he’s excited to have the school participate, not only to raise money but also awareness.
“I hope that students understand and become familiar with Special Olympics,” Stengel said in the release.
Special Olympics is a worldwide organization that aims to further develop inclusive learning and social environments for all students through sports, whole-school engagement and inclusive youth leadership.
“This is Year 1. We’re going to go bigger and better every year,” Stengel said.