Nebraska’s first ever Polar Plunge event took place in Kearney back in 2001. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the challenge.
The Plunge will take place in six cities across Nebraska, with Kearney being the first stop on February 7. Omaha’s is set to happen on Saturday, February 14. In support of Special Olympics Nebraska, challengers will “plunge” themselves into the cold waters of Lake Zorinksy, located in West Omaha.
“[The Polar Plunge is a way to] support Special Olympics Nebraska and raise awareness about inclusion and opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities,” Omaha Plunge organizer Rose Swenson said. “It’s part of a statewide series of Plunges that bring people together for a powerful cause, transforming lives across the state.”
This will be Bellevue East’s first year participating in the Plunge. It also has its own team representing the Chieftains. Captained by instructor Rachel Schutte, these participants are known as the “Eastside Icebreakers”.
“Every year, our director of special education, Dr. Spencer, always sends out an email about the Polar Plunge,” Schutte said. “It’s when you participate and you donate money. All of that money comes back to your school and funds programs and activities, and it seemed like an easy, accessible way to raise money.”
Currently, Eastside Icebreakers has three challengers: Schutte, instructor Benjamin Dalton, and counselor Kacie Anderson. Schutte hopes that the team will end up with a total of ten people. Anyone, from students to educators, can participate.
“There’s been other staff members that have donated, which is great,” Schutte said. “My goal is to raise $1000.”
This year, East is introducing a brand new sport: unified basketball. Unified sports are ones that allow for athletes both with intellectual disabilities and without to participate and compete in athletics together. Schutte says that funds raised from the Polar Plunge will go towards running the unified basketball team. Normally, Schutte gets those funds from the department and a few other places.
“We’re working on being a unified champion school, and the Special Olympics of Nebraska gave us $300 that would help us get those [unified] programs going,” Schutte said.
Unified schools are those that offer programs, like sports, in an effort to create an inclusive environment and allow students with and without intellectual disabilities to learn and participate in sports together. To become officially recognized as a National Banner Unified Champion School through the National School Recognition Program from Special Olympics, schools must meet three core components. One of these standards is providing unified sports. Events like the Polar Plunge are meant to help further encourage inclusivity and acceptance.
“It’s a bold, visible way to show that our community values inclusion, courage, and support for all abilities,” Swenson said. “Special Olympics Nebraska offers free year-round programming [inclusive sports, health education, leadership opportunities] to all participants. These funds are crucial in allowing us to keep impacting thousands of lives across the state.”
Anderson, who was a special education teacher prior to a counselor, hopes that getting out and participating in the Plunge will inspire others. This will be her first year in a plunge.
“Hopefully, it can spark more conversation,” Anderson said. “Maybe not just amongst my colleagues here at East, but maybe just amongst my friend group, my community group, my church group.”