2 Broadcaster Press March 24, 2015 www.broadcasteronline.com SUPPORT SPECIAL OLYMPICS MARCH 28 AT POLAR PLUNGE By Christine Feltes For the Plain Talk A masked participant in last year’s Polar Plunge leaps into the chilly water. Photo courtesy of the South Dakota Law Enforcement Torch Run. COURTESY PHOTO Every day doesn’t hold an opportunity to jump into a tank of icy cold water in support of a good cause, but people will be “Freezin’ for a Reason” on Saturday, March 28, as they raise funds for local and state Special Olympics teams, through the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics South Dakota. “We have two special olympics chapters in Vermillion that we raise funds for and part of the proceeds go to the state office as well,” said Officer Jon Cole, one of the event’s organizers and the assistant director of LETRSouth Dakota. “The state office puts on the events, such as the Summer Games coming up in May that are happening in Brookings this year.” The event will take place in downtown Vermillion in front of the Old Lumber Company. “In years past, we’ve done it at the High School, this year the community decid- ed to change that. The idea is to bring it to downtown Vermillion, a more centralized location, and a venue that is going to get more traction and awareness,” said Cole. “The High School is a great place, but there isn’t as much traffic going by the High School.” The Polar Plunge will begin at 4:00 p.m. Participants can register online at www. plungesd.org or at the event, beginning at 3 p.m. Participants must raise a minimum of $100 to take the leap. want to write a check for $100 then they can take the plunge.” Some participants raise money to take the plunge while they are waiting in line to register. “I’ve seen people raise the money in the amount of time it takes to do the registration,” Cole stated. For those who are less bold, there’s even a option to raise money as a participant “too Chicken to Plunge”, or they can donate in support of another plunger on the website. “It’s easy to register online. It’s a safe, secure website to use a credit card on,” said Cole, noting that same-day registration is also easy. “People can just show up at the event and if they “It’s a family-friendly event and we encourage people to bring out their families and watch the people plunge,” said Cole. “There will be several people in costumes and just having fun with it.” Vermillion American Legion Post No. 1 and Legion Auxiliary announce the selection of delegates for Boys & Girls State 2015. Girls chosen to represent Vermillion are Katie Brockvelt, Elizabeth Butler, Morgan Fuller, Sydney Furry, Anna Hackemer, Katie Kost, Kylee Retzluff, Kayla Stammer.. The boys chosen are Kaleb Blue, Blake Gilkyson, Cody Kronaizl, Alec Leber, Tristan Meadows, Jonathan Rosales, Matt Ouellette, Paul Schwasinger. Jeremiah Johnson is being sponsored by the Alsen Legion. These young people have demonstrated very definite leadership skills in their school and community activities and each has earned a scholastic ranking that places them in the upper third of their class. “During the selection process, all delegates demonstrated outstanding qualifications in character, honesty, service, and initiative,” said Ray Hofman, Legion Americanism Officer, “and American Legion Post #1 and Legion Auxiliary are proud to have these young people represent Vermillion at the 2015 Boys & Girls State Session.” American Legion Boys & Girls State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county, and state government. Boys & Girls State has been a program of the American Legion & Auxiliary since 1935. South Dakota Boys & Girls State will run from June 1 to June 6, 2015 and will be held on the campus of Northern State University for the boys and University of South Dakota for the girls. Donations from the Civic Council, Eagles Club, Knights of Columbus, Lions, Rotary, Rebekah Lodge, Odd Fellows Lodge, Masons, Incense Lodge and the VFW have helped sponsor the students. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please call Ray Hofman at 624-6457 or by email using rhofman@vyn.midco.net Writers high school age and up are invited to register for the VLP Literary Festival and Sorcerer’s 3x1 Apprentice Creative Writing Camp, to be held Friday-Saturday, March 27-28, at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. No experience with creative writing is necessary. The Vermillion Literary Project (VLP), an award-winning student organization, and the Dakota Writing Project (DWP), a local teachers’ organization affiliated with the National Writing Project, are hosting the event. This year, they’re combining the VLP Literary Festival and the Sorcerer’s Apprentice Creative Writing Camp. The general public can register for individual events on either or both days. High school students register for Sorcerer’s Apprentice Camp events on Saturday, March 28, while they also have the option of registering for individual events on Friday, March 27. Friday events feature a writing marathon, a craft talk, a poetry slam miniworkshop, and a public poetry slam as Friday’s culminating event. Saturday events feature workshops on short fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, revision, performance, and publication, followed by a public reading as the culminating event. Visit the festival/camp website http://sites.usd. edu/dwp/camp for a complete schedule, registration forms and fees, descriptions of the workshops, writer/ presenter biographies, and other information. Email dwp@usd.edu with questions. If you are a person with a disability and require special accommodation to fully participate, please contact Disability Services 48 hours before the event at 605-6776389 or e-mail disabilityservices@usd.edu. The Dakota Writing Project is a non-profit teachers’ organization that focuses on improving the teaching of writing through an invitational summer institute for teachers and a variety of other activities. For more information, visit http:// sites.usd.edu/dwp/. The Vermillion Literary Project, a student organization at the University of South Dakota, publishes an annual literary magazine and hosts literary events for the university community and the general public. For more information, visit http://sites.usd.edu/projlit DELAGATES FOR BOYS & GIRLS STATE SELECTED READING BEGINS AT BIRTH JoAnn Stockland, Barbara Campbell, and Paula Verzani are pictured bringing board books to the Vermillion Sanford Hospital to be given out to all new babies. The year 2015 brings the start of a community literacy focus for the newborns at Sanford Hospital in Vermillion. "Reading Begins At Birth" is being provided and funded by Theta Omega ESA of Vermillion. Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) is an international leadership and service organization with members in communities large and small united in friendship to make a difference in the lives of others and become our best selves together. Vermillion currently has three local chapters. One of the cornerstones of ESA is life-long learning, and we seek it for ourselves and to give the gift to others. We support a variety of literacy 2x1 and learning projects for both children and adult learners. We donate in excess of 650,000 volunteer hours annually to a variety of large international charities and local worthy causes alike, and we each love being part of a group of happy, big-hearted people helping make a difference. There is always something good going on in ESA! If you would like to help with this or one of our other upcoming projects, please give us a call at (605)624-4626. Broad casteronline .com COURTESY PHOTO Broadcasteronline.c om Romsdahl’s SORCERER’S APPRENTICE CREATIVE WRITING CAMP AND VLP LITERARY FESTIVAL MARCH 27-28, 2015 BroadcasteronWORKING.CONDITIONS IMPROVE line co m Repair & Remodel Carpentry, Interior & Exterior, Painting, Refinishing, Drywall, & Ceramic Tile Free Estimates 605-670-2161 HEINE Electric and Irrigation Hartington, NE (402) 254-2568 Vermillion, SD (605) 670-9567 ALL TYPES OF DIRT WORK. FREE ESTIMATES. Bobcats • Crane • Dozers • Excavators • Grader Grain Trailer • Scrapers • Side Dumps • Trenchers Irrigation sales and service Irrigation PVC, Wire Installed Well Drilling – Domestic and Irrigation Pump Installation FOR YOUR FEET. FREE SOCKS SALE! Boston 3rd • Yankton • to Boots Shoes 665-9092 312 W. 4x1 In stock. 6” & 8” styles. Up to 4E wide & size 15 in stock. Available in Safety & Non-Safety Toe. 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Members of the Special Olympics teams in the area will be attending. “The Post-Plunge Party is time for everyone to gather after the Plunge, to mingle and to eat,” Cole said. “It will give people a chance to interact with the athletes, with the people who raised the money, and with the people who actually work with Special Olympics as well.” The Post-Plunge Party will be another opportunity to raise funds for Special Olympics. “We’ll have some special things going on as well to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run,” Cole said, describing the Post-Plunge Party. “We’ll probably have some raffles and of course people can donate funds on their own after that.” Similar events are held across South Dakota and even internationally. “It’s fun and it will definitely be a good time,” said Cole. Fun environment! Hands on learning! 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