Ethan Hall isn't one to give up on his dreams.

Some time in the next week or so, the 17-year-old Chesterton High School senior will make his second attempt to swim across Lake Michigan.

"It is a dream of mine. Ever since I was a little kid, I've wanted to do it," said Hall, who works as a lifeguard at the Indiana Dunes State Park and is a member of the state championship Chesterton High School swim team

Last summer, Hall made his first attempt to swim the 29 miles from Porter County to Chicago. He made his way 10.3 miles across the lake, but after battling high winds that created up to 6-foot waves, the teen had to pull himself from the challenge.

This year, Hall, who swam to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club last year, is dedicating this swim to another young man who doesn't give up, 10-year-old Jacob Strothoff, of Portage, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 3 years old. He's hoping, as last year, people will make pledges. All proceeds will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Jacob's name.

"Diabetes is a horrible disease," said Hall, adding it is especially difficult when a youngster such as Jacob must deal with the daily rigors of keeping the disease under control. The funds raised will go toward research and finding a cure.

"He feels very honored by it. It means a lot to him that people raise money for JDRF," said Jacob's mother, Robyn.

Hall got connected to Jacob because Hall's mother, Suzanne, is a local photographer and has photographed Jacob and his siblings several times.

Jacob, a fifth-grader at Kyle Elementary School, depends on a computerized pump to maintain his insulin levels. However, said his mom, the disease has not stopped him. His Little League team recently won a tournament and he remains as active as any boy his age.

Hall said he hopes to do the swim sometime between Tuesday and July 22, depending on the weather. He will be accompanied by a boat on his journey across the lake and will pay for the gasoline for the trip from his own pocket.

"Dreams have a cost. Even with gas prices the way they are, I want to do it," he said.

"It is a whole new year. I'm a year wiser, a year stronger and a year more prepared," he said, adding that he has been preparing by "doing a lot of push ups and stuff" and swimming on a daily basis.