IUSB makes a splash for the Special Olympics

By: Taya Stewart
Staff-Writer
IU South Bend students and community members took a bone-chilling leap on Feb. 25 during the annual Polar Plunge, a fundraiser promoted each year by the Student Government Association and other campus groups. The event, held at Four Winds Field, included participants ranging in age, ability and occupation.

The event is held during winter, and participants jump into a pool of cold water despite freezing temperatures to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics, a global organization providing athletic and competitive opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The Special Olympics is different from the Paralympics, which is a competitive program for people with specific types of physical disabilities.

In order to plunge, participants must raise at least $85 for the cause.

Miranda Francoeur and Kathleen Burns from John Adams High School joined the event as
supporters to watch Burns’ father, a local police officer, take a dive. They said they heard about
the event through social media and Burns’ father, who is passionate about serving the
community.

Alpha Sigma Tau members Scarlett Day and Mia Higgins both plunged, too.

“We are passionate about this event because it’s for a good cause,” Day said. Describing the
event in one word, she chose “powerful.”

Higgins, a psychology major, explained that she works at ADEC, which is an organization that
provides an array of services for adults with developmental disabilities. She said that upon
graduation, she wants to go into the profession of helping people with special needs. Her one-
word description of the event was “excitement”.

Sheila Le, an informatics major and SGA senator, said the plunge was freezing and numbing, but she was glad she participated knowing it was for a good cause.

If you could not attend the event but still want to support the Special Olympics, donations can be made to go.iu.edu/4MGO.