Poplar Bluff High School Student Council teamed up with the Unified Champions club to take the Polar Plunge in 55 degrees water during the organization’s 17th annual fundraiser held Saturday, Feb. 25, at Cape County Park North, raising $1,852 for Special Olympics Missouri.
Participating students who solicited donations were Elizabeth Blancett, Maelynn Beis, David McKuin, Noah Shirrell, Spencer Wilson, Kaitlyn Booker, Addison Corzine and Nya Cram, helping to bring the grand total for the event to a reported $62,500, exceeding the organization’s goal by over $7,000.
“It’s truly an amazing day to see so many people going to such lengths to show support of the athletes in the Southeast area,” stated Penny Williams, SOMO development director. “Events like this give us an opportunity to promote and witness the support of unity and inclusion through the power of sports.”
Due to a postponement in response to an ice storm last month, not all the students were able to participate among the 143 adventurers representing 27 organizations and groups of individuals who reportedly took the plunge. The temperature outside was around 50 degrees, according to chaperoning PBHS teacher Miranda Huddleston, co-adviser of Unified Champions.
Huddleston’s colleague Jennie Randolph, also the StuCo adviser, noted that this year’s results marked an increase in participation over last year, when PBHS had only two representatives generating $285. The Polar Plunge is SOMO’s largest fundraiser, Randolph said.
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Cutline: Pictured with Special Olympics Missouri mascot Shivers the Polar Bear, are (back row, from left) Kaitlyn Booker, David McKuin, Noah Shirrell, Maelynn Beis, Elizabeth Blancett and Addison Corzine; and (front row) Miranda Huddleston and Maison Dennis.