The Boonville Polar Plunge brings added awareness to 'inclusion revolution'

BOONVILLE, Ind. — 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 suits 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.

"It was cold, but it was worth it," he said. "Just to help out the community, to see all of (the athletes) happy when they have some money to work with, to get new jerseys or something."

Students from Boonville, Mount Vernon, North Posey, Tecumseh and other area schools took part in the first High School Polar Plunge South, an event focused on bringing students and Special Olympics Indiana athletes together in the organization's Unified Champion Schools program. 

The nonprofit organization is part of the global Special Olympics movement, which uses sport, health, education and leadership programs to empower people with intellectual disabilities.

The Polar Plunge benefits more than 18,000 Special Olympics athletes throughout Indiana and ensures children and adults with intellectual disabilities continue to benefit from no-cost participation in specialized programs.

Like Ritzert, Tecumseh High School senior Layne Pemberton said she was inspired to participate in the inaugural event to help provide additional resources for the organization.

Pemberton and nearly 25 other Tecumseh students helped raise the most money out of all five participating schools. She raised more than $300 in donations herself.

"I think it was a really good turn out, especially with it being the first in Boonville," Pemberton said. "There were a lot of students here."

Francie Smith, south regional manager at Special Olympics Indiana, said seeing the participants show their support, especially first-time plungers, speaks to students' awareness on the cause's importance.

The event is a condensed version of the traditional Boonville Polar Plunge happening Saturday. Since its inception 20 years ago, thousands of supporters have helped the statewide organization earn more than $7 million in its signature fundraiser.  

In 2019, more than 3,000 participants helped raise about $900,000 across all 18 of the organization's events, which are held at state parks and college campuses.

Smith said nearly 300 people are expected to participate in the Boonville plunge Saturday. And across the state, the organization anticipates the same amount of plungers from last year will attend the scheduled events.

Smith said she believes the new high school and the traditional polar plunge will both continue to expand.

"I'm excited to see what's going to happen in the future," Smith said. "I can just see this event grow more and more and get more schools involved in the area."

On-site registration for Saturday's event will take place at Boonville High School (300 N. First St.) beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, with participants lining up at 11:30 a.m. to take the plunge.

All participants and spectators are asked to park at the high school, where free shuttle buses will be provided to Scales Lake. Advance registration is available at www.PolarPlungeIN.org.

Saturday's event will also include an indoor “After Splash Bash” at the Boonville High School cafeteria, where additional prizes will be awarded as participants warm up with complimentary food and beverages.

– Courier & Press