Shepard High School students didn’t need a frozen lake to take an icy plunge. All they needed was school spirit and a great cause. On Thursday, March 6, the school hosted its annual Polar Plunge on campus, raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics Illinois.
“This is one of my favorite days of the year. The excitement and energy surrounding the event is contagious,” said Ashley Lythberg, Special Education Teacher and Special Olympics Coordinator at Shepard. “I love how excited the kids get and how much they buy into the big picture of the Polar Plunge.”
The Polar Plunge at the high school,13049 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights, was part of Respect Week, which celebrated inclusion and advocacy. This year’s plunge theme was “Be Bold, Get Cold,” encouraging participants to embrace the challenge for a great cause.
The Polar Plunge is a nationwide fundraising initiative, often held in conjunction with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, that encourages participants to collect pledges before jumping into icy waters. This was Shepard’s ninth year taking part in the event, with 60 students and staff from the school’s POWER PE program braving the cold for Special Olympics Illinois.
Shepard’s POWER PE program, short for Physical Opportunities with Exceptional Rewards, pairs students as mentors with peers who have disabilities in a physical education setting. Founded nearly a decade ago by Lythberg and co-POWER PE instructor Scott Richardson, the program has since expanded to include art and culinary courses.
“POWER PE and Special Olympics are very important and close to home for me,” Anastasia Kladis, 17, of Palos Heights, said. “My uncle has an intellectual disability, and he can participate on various sports teams because of the Special Olympics. Watching the joy he has when playing on the teams means everything to me, so I am taking the plunge for him and all of those who face challenges every day. It is important to me to show inclusion, support and growth for individuals who often face barriers that others may not see or understand.”
“Being in POWER is so important to me because it makes me feel good knowing that I’m helping to make a difference within the community,” Haley Misialek,16, of Alsip, said.
To bring the Polar Plunge experience to campus, Shepard transformed its football field into a wintery challenge with ice buckets, a slip ‘n slide, and inflatable pools filled with freezing water. The event took place in three shifts at noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.
“Students really take ownership of this event,” Lythberg said. “They take the lead on planning, fundraising, and spreading awareness. They understand that they are making a difference that directly impacts the Special Olympics athletes in our area.”
That dedication showed in the numbers. Since its first plunge in 2016, the Shepard team has raised nearly $120,000 for Special Olympics Illinois. This year, the school set a fundraising goal of $10,000 but surpassed $11,000 with a final push from students and staff.
“These funds directly benefit the athletes in our region in so many ways during competition seasons,” Lythberg said.
Beyond fundraising, Lythberg emphasized the impact the event had on students.
“They take pride in being part of POWER PE, the plunge team, and advocates for inclusion and belonging at Shepard,” she said. “It’s amazing to see the Astro community come together to support our athletes.”
Respect Week at Shepard extended beyond the plunge, featuring spirit days, pledge signings, hallway decorating, and a concluding assembly, all aimed at promoting awareness, inclusion, and support for Special Olympics athletes.
“The plunge really brings Shepard students and staff together, raising funds for an organization near and dear to us as a school,” Lythberg said. “As Shepard continues to grow its Special Olympics opportunities, it’s awesome to see the Astro community rally behind our athletes.”
Students were quick to agree with Lythberg’s emotions.
“I take the Polar Plunge to support the Special Olympics because I believe everyone, no matter their ability, deserves to be celebrated,” Allyson Ford,17, of Alsip, said. “The students I work with in POWER PE have their own personalities, dreams, and strengths. I love working with them and seeing how much they grow.”
Currently a senior, Ford plans to continue her educational career studying Special Education.
“I want to help students who need a little extra support,” she said. “I see the potential in every student, and it’s amazing to watch them gain confidence and achieve things they might not have thought possible. Special Olympics and POWER PE have shown me how important it is to create an environment where everyone feels included, and I’m excited to keep doing that in the future.”
With another successful plunge behind them, the Astros didn’t just brave the cold — they made a lasting impact, proving that their commitment to inclusion continues to grow each year.
