Special Olympics winter event reaches out to special needs students

The Polar Plunge is an annual activity that is presented by the Special Olympics all across the nation. This February is the second year Westside High School has hosted the event.

Assisted learning teacher Kari Wilson played a leading role in the school’s Polar Plunge.

“Last year was windy and very chilly, so we hope to see more faces this year,” Wilson said.

Wilson is a sponsor of Project Unify, a club dedicated to assisted learning students in the community. The club offers activities to special needs students at the school as well as after school.

“Polar Plunge is the only fundraiser during the year for us,” Wilson said. “All of the money goes back to Project Unify and it’s a fun thing to do.”

The Polar Plunge was held last Saturday and started late in the morning. General education students at Westside also joined the activities, including those who belong to Project Unify.

Wilson and members of her club encourage students to participate in the Polar Plunge in the future and to support the Special Olympics.