The Lawton Polar Plunge took place this past weekend and I must say, if they were hoping for weather that simulated the "Oklahoma version" of a full on polar effect, they could not have chosen a better day! I had the pleasure of witnessing an amazing feat of courage, determination, community support & involvement and, quite frankly, ab-so-lute craaazzzzziness!

Despite how ridiculously bananas it was to dive into a freezing cold pool of chlorine...in 30 - 40 degree temperatures...during the worst flu season everrrrrrrr; because it was all for a great cause, I'll excuse the sheer madness of the participants! Yes...they were nuts, but they were "Freezin' for a Reason."  Believe me when I say this was definitely an understatement!

From the website:

The Polar Plunge is a fundraising challenge made to an individual or group challenging them to dive into a cold body of water in order to raise money for Special Olympics. Each participant collects pledges from family, friends and businesses in the hopes of raising lots of money for Special Olympics.

The vision and purpose of the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity is explained in six principles: Learning, Integrity, Excellence, Leadership, Citizenship, and Brotherhood. The Gamma-Rho Chapter of Cameron University without a doubt represented the principles of their fraternity well and showed everyone what Sig Tau Men are made of!

Dressed barefooted in beach shorts and tank tops, these guys exuded extreme will-power while they braved the cold as one of the last groups to take the Polar Plunge. Some might say they are definitely "building noble generations of men," others might say they proved that you don't have to hang from a tree to be a nut; either way, they exemplified the immense fortitude necessary to participate in this noble cause.

Displaying their own form of grit and fortitude, students from The Lawton High School Ignition Program were the first to arrive at the Lawton Country Club for the Polar Plunge. It fact, when they got there, the doors were still locked! I don't know if it was because they really wanted to go above and beyond to show support for the day's events, or if it was because they did not want to face the wrath of their Ignition Program Instructor, Mrs. Vontrease Willie; either way, these kids showed up and showed out!

These high school students, woke up early on a Saturday morning (whaaaat?!), braved sub-zero temperatures and came out to support Sig Tau in the Polar Plunge. Okay - okay, maybe not "sub-zero" temps, per se, but the way their teeth were chattering, it might as well have been...I don't think they could tell the difference!

Bundled together, braving the wind with frozen fingers holding the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity flag in one hand and cells with social-media-on-deck in the other; Ignition Students showed up in support of not only Sig Tau, but also in support of the gallant efforts to raise money for the Special Olympics.

By partnering together with Sigma Tau Gamma, this Polar Plunge event allowed the Lawton High School Ignition Program Students to step outside of the classroom and gain first-hand knowledge of what it means to use teamwork in order to meet a community need. This will be the first of many events giving these students the opportunity to lead, create and implement team projects designed to meet a need in their community.

Check out the Community Calendar for more info on upcoming events & check the photo gallery below to see 1073PopCrush, Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity & the Lawton High School Ignition Program at the 2018 Polar Plunge.

 

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