For the seventh year in a row, the California High School student council participated in the Polar Plunge at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Thirteen students took on the plunge this year, with most of them being first timers: Lydia Banderman, Dylan Knipker, Emma Heather, Lizzie Shewmake, Madison McCord, Kendal Marsh, Elly Clause, Hailey Schepers, Zoe Zimmerman, Allison Bailey, Kendall Kirksey, Marlena Heath and Sydney Percival. The students were joined by one of their student council sponsors, Ashley Atteberry, who challenged herself for the third year in a row and took on 24 plunges in 24 hours.
For student council members to participate, they are asked to raise $75 in donations. If they raise at least $40, student council will help pay the rest through fundraisers created specifically for Polar Plunge participants.
"The Missouri Association of Student Councils, which is what our student council is involved in, the philanthropy is Special Olympics and so this is what actually got me involved with the plunge" Atteberry said. "But seeing how throughout these years and seeing several athletes that it helps throughout Special Olympics, I mean, it's just been an amazing experience so I do it so the athletes have an opportunity. I am definitely into competition and sports and really, those kids need those outlets as well and have success in many things that they are doing."
Atteberry's super plunge started Friday afternoon and went until 11 p.m. before picking up again Saturday morning. To finish the 24 plunges, plungers will double plunge, meaning they run into the water, run out and then right back in. Atteberry ended up with 25 plunges after plunging with her student council members.
Atteberry also decided to participate in the Polar Strut 5K Saturday with Jamie Johnston, another student council sponsor, and Hailey Cain, a student council member.
In the end, with the super plunge, the Strut and the regular plunge, the student council raised $4,317, the largest amount they've raised since they've been involved in the plunge.