On Feb. 8, 2025, the Special Olympics held its annual Polar Plunge at Lake Zorinsky. Hundreds of people from Omaha and its surrounding areas took a dip in the freezing lake to raise money with the organization.
In the past, a group of staff and students came together for this event; this year, the group only consisted of Millard West employees. On the windy and cold February day, the water reached extra-frigid temperatures, and the teachers held their breath before leaping in.
“This was my second year participating in the plunge and as expected the water is really cold,” special education para Jenna Bohaty said. “It’s a fun and nerve-racking experience, but the warming tent where you change and dry off after helps you come back to reality.”
Teams are encouraged to dress up and the Millard West group themed their jump “Water Birds” off of the upcoming unified musical “Honk.” Some other groups dress as minions, the Grinch, in their school mascot, and much more giving it a fun twist. For some participants, this event may just be to help their students or for a good cause, but for gym teacher Stephaine Jurgens, it hits a bit closer to home.
“I have a daughter with special needs who inspires me every day along with my other ACP students and individuals of the special needs population,” Jurgens said. “My daughter has been my greatest life teacher and through her, I try to share the joy she brings into this world. Being a part of an event like the Polar Plunge is using my voice to help these individuals get the opportunities and life they deserve.”
This event is a huge fundraiser for the unified program and helps give so many new experiences to all the students year long. Each participant in the dive is required to raise at least $50 to jump but spreading the word to raise even more money is highly encouraged.
“The money we raise allows us to provide all the unified opportunities at Millard West,” lead Education Academy teacher Ali Bragg said. “We can provide things like Unified choir, track, bowling, cheer, Q Street Classic, Unified Softball game, West Friends Club, Unified play, and the Wildcat Cafe just to name a few.”
Through the work of the daily announcements and spreading the word of the Polar Plunge, the school’s team raised over $6000 passing their first goal of $5,000. This event has many benefits and raises so much money for athletes just like the ones in our ACP program.
