Lions plunge for good cause

For the sixth consecutive year, Lyons Township High School students and staff took an icy plunge in the waters of Lake Michigan and raised the most money of any group participating in the 2018 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Illinois, which supports athletes with intellectual disabilities.

LT’s group swept the awards and raised $23,295 with the help of teachers and students. LT won the following awards:

• Golden Plunger Team – the team that raised the most money overall
• Cool School Challenge – the school that raised the most money
• Best Costume Team – best team costume (LT Weirdos theme)
• Golden Plunger Individual – Dave Root with the most money raised – $6,976

LT has participated for six years and has raised a total of $76,436 in the Polar Plunge, plus an addition $4,700 in their annual Plane Pull, for a grand total of $81,136 for Special Olympics of Illinois.

In addition to braving the frigid waters of Lake Michigan and raising money for the cause, LT’s Polar Plunge Team organizers Special Education teacher Brian Wolf and aviation teacher and Team Captain Dave Root also agreed to have their heads shaved by the top student fundraisers.

Second Photo: LT’s Polar Plunge Team organizers Special Education teacher Brian Wolf (left) and aviation teacher and Team Captain Dave Root (right) get their heads shaved by top student fundraisers senior Hailee Svrlinga, of Countryside, with $798 (left), senior Emily Kula, of LaGrange, with $1,020 (middle) and freshman Andrew Cmelo, of LaGrange Park, with $1,550 (right).