CINCINNATI — In the spirit of "Freezin' for a Reason," Special Olympics Kentucky and Special Olympics Ohio hosted the 2024 Polar Plunge this past Saturday, Jan. 27. Hundreds of people gathered to bravely jump into an 18-foot icy cold pool at The Banks in downtown Cincinnati to help raise money in support of Special Olympics athletes.
One student Larry A. Ryle High School student made it his mission to plunge for the first time this year. Despite the cold temperatures, Andrew Showell said he was ready to try something new.
"I like doing these things for my friends, and I just think it's something great," said Showell, a senior.
Showell is part of Club U, which strives to make Ryle High School inclusive. It helps students both with and without intellectual disabilities get to know each other.
Because of its work, Ryle High School will soon receive a Unified Champion School National Banner Award from Special Olympics. The school becomes just the second in Kentucky to receive the award.
Jennifer McMahon, vice president of Special Olympics Kentucky, said she could not be prouder of Ryle students.
"They work hard all year long, creating an inclusive environment for their student population," she said. "To see them go above and beyond to raise all this money and then show up ... and jump in support of our athletes, [it] really does show their commitment to supporting people with intellectual disabilities.”
The school raised more than $6,000 for the plunge this year.