Top Story Community Andrew raises crowds, $22,000 for Special Olympics with polar plunge Jeff Vorva Times correspondent Apr 5, 2023 Apr 5, 2023 Updated Oct 18, 2024 0 1 of 6 Teachers Tracy Sukalo, left, and Barb Sopiarz dress in tutus to take their plunge at the home of the Thunderbolts. Jeff Vorva, The Times Students got wet and cold at the Thunder Plunge March 9 at Andrew High School. Jeff Vorva, The Times Andrew Principal Abir Othman gets into the music provided by the school’s band during the Thunder Plunge. Jeff Vorva, The Times Two students are tentative about getting in the pool cold water at the Thunder Plunge at Andrew. Jeff Vorva, The Times Andrew Assistant Principal Tim Dalton did a few spins under water before coming up for air at the Thunder Plunge. Jeff Vorva, The Times While Special Olympian C.J. Devine chose not to hit the pool, he didn't escape the cold water at the Thunder Plunge. Jeff Vorva, The Times Prefer us on Google Learn More Gift this article New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Jeff Vorva Times correspondent Nicole Sweiss is not afraid to jump in and help someone in need.kAm{:E6C2==J]k^AmkAm%9:D J62C[ D96 2?5 >2?J @E96C p?5C6H w:89 $49@@= DEF56?ED H6C6 9@?@C65 7@C G@=F?E66C D6CG:46 9@FCD — D96 92D =@8865 >@C6 E92? `__ E9:D J62C] k^AmkAmpD 72C 2D ;F>A:?8 :? 2?5 96=A:?8[ D96 2?5 fh @E96C DEF56?ED 2?5 DE277 2E E96 %:?=6J !2C< D49@@= ;F>A65 :?E@ 2 4@=5 A@@= @? 2 4@=5 52J 7@C 2 8@@5 42FD6 |2C49 h]k^Am kAm%96 D49@@= 9@DE65 2 A@=2C A=F?86[ ?2>65 E96 %9F?56C !=F?86[ 2?5 C2:D65 Saa[___ 7@C $A64:2= ~=J>A:4D x==:?@:D]k^Am People are also reading… UPDATE: Burger King abruptly closes Northwest Indiana restaurant, will reopen this week 2 tornadoes confirmed to have hit Region resulting in massive outages, damage UPDATE: Large tornado confirmed in Porter County, NWS urges residents to take cover Mayor says Bears coming to Hammond, despite ‘vague’ wording in statement WATCH | Aerial footage shows extent of tornado damage in Northwest Indiana Amazon says Northern Indiana data centers will use water for cooling under 2% of the time Bears Hammond stadium pursuit has spurred interest from two other sports teams in Northwest Indiana UPDATE: Andrean High School campus remains closed as school leaders plan for repairs Rezoning unanimously approved for data center in rural Lake County BJ's Wholesale Club breaks ground on major 100,000-square-foot warehouse store in Portage Business Ins and Outs: Revolution Valparaiso closing; Uptown Kitchen, Alpen Haus, C.12 and Tennessee Bound Customs opening UPDATE: NIPSCO plans to repair around 90% of power outages caused by storms by Tuesday night Over 200 buildings damaged, but only 1 minor injury in Merrillville Union Pacific announces which tracks Big Boy will travel through on Friday They took COVID tests, paid cash. Six years later, they’re being sued. | Davich kAm$H6:DD :D 2 D6?:@C H9@ H@C<D H:E9 DA64:2=\?665D DEF56?ED E9C@F89 2 EFE@C:?8 AC@8C2> 2?5 E92E DA2C<65 96C :?E6C6DE :? E96 A=F?86]k^AmkAm“x H2?E65 E@ C2:D6 >@?6J 7@C E9:D 42FD6[” D96 D2:5] “x H2?E E@ DFAA@CE E96> 2D >F49 2D x 42? 3642FD6 E96D6 <:5D 5@?’E 92G6 2D >2?J @AA@CEF?:E:6D E@ A=2J DA@CED 2?5 92G6 7F? 24E:G:E:6D =:<6 FD]”k^Am kAmp?5C6H 92D 366? 5@:?8 E9:D 7@C 2 76H J62CD H:E9 =@H 2EE6?52?46 2?5 76H A=F?86CD] %9:D J62C[ E96 4C@H5 6IA=@565 E@ 2C@F?5 `__]k^AmkAm“x 766= E96C6 H2D 2 =@E >@C6 6?6C8J D:?46 E96C6 H6C6 =:E6C2==J D@ >2?J >@C6 A6@A=6[” $H6:DD D2:5]k^Am kAm$A64E2E@CD H2E4965 E96 A=F?86CD ;F>A :? 2?5 D4C62>] $@>6 >6>36CD @7 E96 32?5 H6C6 @? 92?5 E@ >2<6 E96 6G6?E 76DE:G6]k^AmkAm$H6:DD D2:5 5:G:?8 C:89E :? :D E96 H2J E@ 8@]k^Am kAm“x7 :E’D 8@:?8 E@ 36 4@=5[ J@F >2J 2D ;FDE 86E :E @G6C H:E9[” $H6:DD D2:5]k^AmkAmp?5C6H pDD:DE2?E !C:?4:A2= %:> s2=E@?[ H9@ H@C6 2 3FEE@? D9:CE 2?5 E:6 367@C6 9:D A=F?86[ D2:5 E96 H2E6C H2D 4@=56C E9:D J62C]k^AmkAm%92E 5:5?’E DE@A 9:> 7C@> 5@:?8 2 76H F?56CH2E6C DA:?D 367@C6 4@>:?8 FA 7@C 2:C @? 2 52J E92E H2D :? E96 >:5\b_D]k^Am kAm“xE H2D 2 =@E @7 7F? 3FE :? E96 A2DE[ H6 FD65 962E65 A@@= H2E6C 2?5 E9:D J62C H6 5:5 :E H:E9 @FED:56 H2E6C[” 96 D2:5] “xE H2D 2 5:776C6?E 6IA6C:6?46[ 3FE :E H2D DE:== 7F?]”k^Am kAmw6 D2:5 E92E :? C646?E J62CD[ E96 6G6?E >2J 92G6 5C2H? 23@FE `_ A=F?86CD 2?5 C2:D65 S`[___]k^AmkAm%92E H2D?’E E96 42D6 :? a_ab]k^AmkAm“(6 >256 2 4@?46CE65 677@CE E@ 3C:?8 :? E96 H9@=6 4@>>F?:EJ E@86E96C[” s2=E@? D2:5] “(6 5:5 2 4@>3:?2E:@? H:E9 D@>6 @7 @FC DA@CED 2?5 @FC 4=F3D] %96 <:5D ;FDE H6?E 4C2KJ H:E9 :E 2?5 5:5 2 8C62E ;@3 H:E9 :E]”k^Am kAm$@A9@>@C6 #J2? s6$2?E@ =65 E96 A24< 3J C2:D:?8 Sdg_ 7@C 9:D A=F?86]k^Am kAm(96? 2D<65 :7 96 6G6C A=F?865 :? 4@=5 H2E6C 367@C6 96 D2:5 “}@]”k^AmkAm(96? 2D<65 :7 96 H@F=5 6G6C 5@ :E 282:?[ 96 D2:5 “}@]” %96? 96 25565 “xE H2D G6CJ 4@=5]”k^AmkAm%96 E@F896DE A2CEnk^AmkAm“v6EE:?8 @FE @7 E96 A@@=[” 96 D2:5]k^AmkAms6$2?E@ 25565 E92E 96 C2:D65 >@DE @7 9:D >@?6J 7C@> 72>:=J 2?5 E62496CD]k^Am kAmpD 2 H9@=6[ E96 ':==286 @7 %:?=6J !2C< 92D 366? DEC@?8 :? C2:D:?8 >@?6J 7@C E9:D 42FD6]k^Am kAm%96 %:?=6J !2C< !@=:46 s6A2CE>6?E 9@DE65 2 D:>:=2C 6G6?E |2C49 b 2?5 C2:D65 Sbd[___]k^AmkAm~?6 @7 E96 4@>>@? 56?@>:?2E@CD @7 3@E9 7C:8:5 7F?5C2:D:?8 6G6?ED H2D !@=:46 $8E] q:== s6G:?6]k^AmkAmw6 925 2 92?5 :? E96 A@=:46 A=F?86 2?5[ 3642FD6 9:D D@?[ r]y] :D 2 $A64:2= ~=J>A:2?[ s6G:?6 925 2 92?5 :? CF??:?8 E96 D9@H 2E p?5C6H[ 2=@?8 H:E9 y62?2?? !24K6D?J[ 2 DA64:2= 65F42E:@? E62496C 2?5 $A64:2= ~=J>A:4D 4@249]k^Am kAms6G:?6 H2?E65 r]y] E@ E2<6 E96 A=F?86 3FE 9:D D@? H2D ?@E :?E6C6DE65] w6 5:5 =6E E96 %9F?56C3@=ED >2D4@E A@FC 2 3F4<6E @7 4@=5 H2E6C @G6C 9:D 9625[ H9:49 D6?E 9:> CF??:?8]k^Am kAms6G:?6 2?5 !24K6D?J E92?<65 E96 4C@H5 7@C 96=A:?8 C2:D6 D@ >F49 >@?6J 7@C E96 42FD6]k^AmkAm“x 42?’E E92?< J@F 8FJD 6?@F89[” s6G:?6 D2:5]k^Am PHOTOS: 2023 Andrew Thunder Plunge 2023 Andrew Thunder Plunge Special Olympics Coach Jeanann Paczesny welcomes students, staff and spectators to the Thunder Plunge March 9. Jeff Vorva, The Times 2023 Andrew Thunder Plunge Andrew Assistant Principal Tim Dalton did a few spins under water before coming up for air at the Thunder Plunge. Jeff Vorva, The Times 2023 Andrew Thunder Plunge Members of Andrew band’s percussion section perform during the Thunder Plunge in Tinley Park. Jeff Vorva, The Times 2023 Andrew Thunder Plunge While Special Olympian C.J. Devine chose not to hit the pool, he didn't escape the cold water at the Thunder Plunge. Jeff Vorva, The Times 2023 Andrew Thunder Plunge Two students are tentative about getting in the pool cold water at the Thunder Plunge at Andrew. Jeff Vorva, The Times 2023 Andrew Thunder Plunge Andrew Principal Abir Othman gets into the music provided by the school’s band during the Thunder Plunge. Jeff Vorva, The Times 2023 Andrew Thunder Plunge Tinley Park Police Sgt. Bill Devine talks to the crowd before the Thunder Plunge. Jeff Vorva, The Times 2023 Andrew Thunder Plunge The Thunder Plunge drew 80 participants and raised $22,000 for Special Olympics Illinois. Jeff Vorva, The Times 2023 Andrew Thunder Plunge Teachers Tracy Sukalo, left, and Barb Sopiarz dress in tutus to take their plunge at the home of the Thunderbolts. Jeff Vorva, The Times 2023 Andrew Thunder Plunge Students got wet and cold at the Thunder Plunge March 9 at Andrew High School. Jeff Vorva, The Times 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story New Lenox sees opportunities arising with children's museum, sports complex The New Lenox Village Board has approved a pair of projects: A new children’s museum that could open as soon as 2024 and a sports complex poss… Orland Park plan to make Centennial Park West a prime venue shifts into high gear Centennial Park West is getting a $12.7 million facelift and will be ready to rock and roll by 2024. Will County Forest Preserve Police take the Polar Plunge to raise $3,000 for Special Olympics Members of the Will County Forest Preserve Police team raised $3,000 for Special Olympics Illinois by taking the Polar Plunge in 20-degree tem… Police Polar Plungers double fundraising goal for Special Olympics Illinois Law enforcement works around the clock, so when it came time to raise money to support the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois, officers of … Engaging exhibit: 'Mozart Immersive' opens in Chicago “Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius” recently opened at Lighthouse ArtSpace in Chicago. New Lenox guard hits stride as she looks for final stop in basketball career Well-traveled Kaylen Evans has one more stop scheduled in her basketball career. Her destination is undetermined, but she hopes her resume fro… Even to opponents, Lincoln-Way Central remains a force in girls soccer Last year, the Lincoln-Way Central Knights girls soccer team was 25-2 and finished third in the Illinois High School Association Class 3A stat… Lincoln-Way competition polishes students' skills, community involvement There was welding and some life lessons at the welding contest hosted by Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 and SkillsUSA. PHOTOS: 2023 AndrewFest Andrew High School students participated in the annual AndrewFest May 10-11. The spring event has gotten the students outside for food and fun…
New Lenox sees opportunities arising with children's museum, sports complex The New Lenox Village Board has approved a pair of projects: A new children’s museum that could open as soon as 2024 and a sports complex poss…
Orland Park plan to make Centennial Park West a prime venue shifts into high gear Centennial Park West is getting a $12.7 million facelift and will be ready to rock and roll by 2024.
Will County Forest Preserve Police take the Polar Plunge to raise $3,000 for Special Olympics Members of the Will County Forest Preserve Police team raised $3,000 for Special Olympics Illinois by taking the Polar Plunge in 20-degree tem…
Police Polar Plungers double fundraising goal for Special Olympics Illinois Law enforcement works around the clock, so when it came time to raise money to support the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois, officers of …
Engaging exhibit: 'Mozart Immersive' opens in Chicago “Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius” recently opened at Lighthouse ArtSpace in Chicago.
New Lenox guard hits stride as she looks for final stop in basketball career Well-traveled Kaylen Evans has one more stop scheduled in her basketball career. Her destination is undetermined, but she hopes her resume fro…
Even to opponents, Lincoln-Way Central remains a force in girls soccer Last year, the Lincoln-Way Central Knights girls soccer team was 25-2 and finished third in the Illinois High School Association Class 3A stat…
Lincoln-Way competition polishes students' skills, community involvement There was welding and some life lessons at the welding contest hosted by Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 and SkillsUSA.
PHOTOS: 2023 AndrewFest Andrew High School students participated in the annual AndrewFest May 10-11. The spring event has gotten the students outside for food and fun…
