“It was such an adrenaline rush. When I first jumped in, the water and my entire body were freezing for at least five seconds, but afterward it wasn’t bad at all,” said junior Canaan Kerr after being a brave participant in the Polar Plunge on Feb. 22, at Creve Coeur Lake.

The Polar Plunge has been hosting events in Missouri communities for years. Groups of friends or schools raise money prior to the event, and show up in their best costume to take the plunge.

“Since it was my first time, I was apprehensive about what to expect. But I had a lot of fun and it was for a great cause,” said STUCO sponsor Sarah Guilfoyle.

This year, 22 students and teachers from PHS raised over $1,000 and took the plunge.

“Our goal for next year is to make it a school-wide event and get more of the Pattonville community involved,” Guilfoyle said.

Pattonville has been participating in the Polar Plunge for years, and STUCO plans on recruiting more plungers to make it a bigger event in the future.

Kerr, who jumped in earlier in the week with Tim Ezell on Fox 2 News, explained, “Even though it’s cold, there is so much spirit at the event. Hundreds of people come together for such a great cause so that people with special needs can fulfill their dreams in the Special Olympics.”