Last year Maddy Karmel, Drake Hall, Nolan Sharpless, and I were in National Junior Honors Society. We did a variety of different activities around the community to help others in need. For instance we went to the Markland Mall in Kokomo and rang the Salvation Army bell during Christmas time. We all enjoyed doing the various activities, but the one that I enjoyed the most was The Polar Plunge!

The Polar Plunge is a Special Olympics Foundation. We raised as much money as we could, but the minimum in order to participate is seventy-five dollars. We could have worn costumes, bathing suits, or even just our plain old sweats.  You go to one of the various locations and check in. They have them at Indiana University, Purdue, Kokomo, West Lafayette, Indianapolis, and many more places around Indiana. When we checked in, we got a ticket that has a number code on it and they draw them out for prizes. Someone got one of those Nerf guns I thought that was pretty awesome. While they draw names, you can eat some breakfast that the Special Olympics staff cooked.

The whole morning we sat at the table wondering what was going to happen next! I know Maddy and I were pretty nervous, but I think the boys were pretty nervous themselves! The thought of running into a freezing cold pond in just our bathing suits gave me shivers!! We wore our bathing suits under our clothes not knowing that you could wear whatever you wanted! They called us out one section at a time. When we heard section three we all stood up and panicked a  little. I know the first thought that ran across my mind was “Oh my goodness what did I get myself into!?” The only thing I could think of to take my mind off of it was it’s for a good cause and I get hot chocolate after this!

We slowly made our way out to the pond and got undressed. When there was no one else in front of us, I looked at the others and screamed! We ran in the freezing water and about two seconds after we had been in there, we couldn’t even feel our little toes! As I remember Drake and Nolan went in so the water was up to their chest, but me and Maddy only made it to our wastes before we darted inside to the bathrooms to get out of the frozen suits! Before we could go inside, we had to grab our clothes and Maddy had accidentally taken one of my shoes so I had to run all the way into the church barefoot! Our prizes were long sleeved t-shirts! Maddy and I were so excited because they were very comfy and warm.

The Special Olympics is a great organization! Even though we were very cold, we had a great time! From the minute we left the church, Maddy and I both knew we wanted to do it again. In fact they are happening all around Indiana right now! Last year for Halloween I was bacon and Maddy was eggs so we are going to go and wear those costumes! I would encourage everyone to go with friends! Our parents took pictures of us running in and out. We had a good laugh afterwards! Our faces were purple and priceless!