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• March 4, 2009|
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Freezing for a reason: U.W. law students take the plunge for Special Olympics

By Atty. Nilesh Patel, Madison

March 4, 2009 – Winter may be a time to stay in for many people, but not for Arctic Justice – the University of Wisconsin Law School team that participated in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics in Lake Monona on Feb. 21, 2009, at Olin Park, Madison.

The Polar Plunge is an annual fundraiser for the Special Olympics of Wisconsin where participants raise funds and plunge into icy waters to support athletes with cognitive disabilities. This was the event’s 10th year, and more than 30 U.W. Law students participated, raising more than $6,700.

On Plunge Day the temperature was roughly 24 degrees with a solid wind and a fresh snow. The event invites a little flair, and the students were ready. Some plunged in Snuggies, some relived the glory days of TV Wrestling (with Hulk Hogan making an appearance), and others unpacked the summer beachwear. Lady Liberty also was there, with a plunger in lieu of her telltale torch.

The Plunge involved a brisk walk through ankle-high ice water followed by a leap into the lake. The water was more than six feet deep, and the participants had to swim 12 feet before getting out and sprinting to a warm hot tub about 500 feet away.

The participants included: Brian Aleinikoff, Sarah Anderson, Gary Bennett, Charlotte Bernard, Daniel Blinka, Ben Davee, Teghan DeLane, Brian Dunham, Kevin Henry, Danielle Hoffmann, Cora Holt, Chase Horne, Purnita Howlader, Karne Hukee, Matt Jalandoni, Paul Manrique, Scott McGoohan, Chris Michel, Nathan Otis, Justin Petzold, Jake Remington, Khrissy Scholtz, Anna Short, Amber Stevenson, Silja Tikkanen, Anastasia Vener, Sam Wayne, Betsy Wong, Vic Yanz, Sampson Yimer, and Carly Zuba.

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