KorinaLiekhus
Gabby Birkel ’25, Jenna Blach ’25 and Grace Peklo ’25 run up the boat ramp after plunging at Lake Zorinsky on Feb. 10. The temperature of the water was 32 degrees and was about waist high. Photo by LarryWilliams.
On Sat. Feb. 10, 15 Marian girls raised more than $2,300 and took the plunge. Polar Plunge is an event run by the Special Olympics of Nebraska (SONE) as a fundraiser. Four Polar Plunges take place in the state. This one was held at Lake Zorinsky in Omaha.
Junior Grace Peklo said, “I participate in the Polar Plunge because when my aunt was little she participated in the Special Olympics, so I do it mostly because of my family. It is also a way I am able to help. That’s why I have raised over a thousand dollars every year because it is so important.”
SONE expects a pledge of $50 from each person to be able to plunge. Incentives are offered for plungers who donate at least $75. This year, the gifts ranged from a SONE long-sleeved t-shirt to a Polar Plunge portable picnic table and blanket.
At Marian, the Polar Plunge is considered a club. There is an informational sign-up table at the club fair, and this year the club is run by two juniors, Grace Peklo and Gabriella Birkel, and two seniors, Madison Stover and Korina Liekhus.
“I get through the plunge by really breathing. I make sure I breathe through my mouth. That feels like the only way to get through it. My friends and I also hold hands and pull each other so no man is left behind,” Peklo said. She personally raised more than $1,300 this year.
The first meeting is getting to know the leadership team. They tell stories of their past plunges and make it a goal to prepare each member for Lake Zorinsky. As the meetings go on, girls are informed more on what to expect and what to wear.
The day of the plunge includes showing up to the boat ramp and hoping that the weather is nice. This year, it was a little chilly outside with the high being 38 degrees. This year there were 15 girls that plunged. Normally Marian girls wait until after the first wave of participants to plunge. Often, students wait in the warm changing tent, playing different games and just getting hyped up.
The Polar Plunge is just one way to support the Omaha community. “Polar Plunge means a lot to me – mostly because of my aunt and my other family members and friends that are special needs and have been part of the Special Olympics. It means a lot to me and to my family,” Peklo said.
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