MCHS will be hosting the polar plunge this year on Feb 1 at 9 a.m. at the baseball fields.

The polar plunge has a goal to raise $10,000 for the Special Olympics. The week of Jan. 19 they will start collecting donations in the cafeteria for the polar plunge.

By participating in this event each participant who fundraises the full amount of $100 will get to jump in a cold pool and a sweatshirt.

Director of Student Activities Mitch Stengel talks about how a student can fundraise this money.

“Most of the fundraising happens online,” says Stengel. “If you go to the Special Olympics, Illinois Polar Plunge on Google, MCHS will pop up as an… organization and then you can choose to register or donate. …Everyone who’s participating names are listed.”

Senior AJ Berwanger who is signed up for the event right now explains why he wants to participate.

“I like swimming, and I like being in the cold, and I’ve taken my peers out at my grandparents house, so that’s kind of prepared me for this, and I think that’s kind of fun, and also just a nice chance to show off,” says Berwanger.

District division chair of the English department, Gina Nomikoudis talks about why this event is important to her and why she wants to participate.

“My older sister participated in The Special Olympics throughout high school as an athlete, and I volunteered for the track and field events when I was in college,” says Nomikoudis. “The Polar Plunge is a great way for me to continue to show my support for The Special Olympics. Athletes shine throughout the competition. It’s really a great organization that does great things.”