Stevenson High School teacher leads community service projects
Adlai E. Stevenson High School sociology teacher Chris Salituro is always teaching his students to be aware of their sociological mindfulness.
In order to have his students experience their own sense of sociological mindfulness, he has them participate in community service and blog about their experience.
In 2012, Salituro saw an advertisement about the Special Olympics Illinois Northeastern/Area 13 office opening in Lincolnshire. He thought that volunteering through Special Olympics Illinois would be a great opportunity for his students.
For the past three years, he has brought more than 80 students to volunteer at the Bocce Tournament at Barrington High School. His students were given the opportunity to help set up the tournament, score the athletes and present awards.
Salituro has been such a huge advocate for Special Olympics Illinois within Stevenson High School that the Bocce Tournament will be held at Stevenson this year, allowing even more students the opportunity to get involved.
Salituro's involvement with Special Olympics Illinois does not stop with the Bocce Tournament. For the past three years, he has organized a Polar Plunge team of sociology students to participate in Area 13's Polar Plunge Cool School Challenge.
The Polar Plunge, presented by Law Enforcement Torch Run and GEICO, is a unique opportunity to support Special Olympics athletes by taking a flying leap into the frigid waters of Fox Lake.
Participants must raise $75 in donations from friends, family and co-workers in exchange for jumping into the icy waters. Many students in the area have gotten involved in the Fox Lake Polar Plunge through the Cool School Challenge, a friendly competition between local schools.
In 2012, Adlai E. Stevenson High School won the Cool School Challenge trophy, and Salituro plans to bring back the trophy again this year for the event to get his students excited for the Plunge.
Brave participants can still sign up for the Fox Lake Polar Plunge. To register or support a Plunger, visit plungeillinois.com.
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