Video: Shepard students, staff plunge for Special Olympics

Restricted by the rules for public gatherings, teachers and students from Shepard High School still figured out a way to raise thousands this week for Special Olympics of Illinois.

Traditionally the Astros traveled by school bus to join hundreds of others at a Polar Plunge. This year, however, they needed to find another way.

“It isn’t where we plunge or how we plunge, but that we plunge! Students and staff members got creative as they will plunged from home this year,” said special education teacher Ashely Lythberg, who once again coordinated the campaign.

So they plunged in pools or dumped five-gallon buckets filled with icy water on their heads. Some made snow angelts.

In their five years of participating in the Polar Plunge, staff and students from Shepard have raised more than $57,000 for Special Olympics.

Known for their enthusiasm at the Polar Plunge events, Shepard groups twice have won The Spirit Award from SOI.

Lythberg created a beautiful video featuring many of those who found ways to plunge: