Nearly 100 high school students hurled into the frigid waters of Boonville's Scales Lake Friday in nervous excitement, as they stripped down to their bathing attire to participate in the Polar Plunge.

Rushing back to the beachfront, with their feet nearly ankle-deep in sand, they desperately reached for their towels and clothes for warmth.

But despite the chilling conditions, Mount Vernon student Blake Ritzert said he was thrilled to join others in the plunge to help Special Olympics Indiana athletes.