Teaches and students take frigid plunge for good cause

Mar. 21—GRANITE FALLS — Brisk, gusty winds blew across and churned up choppy waves as teams of jumpers plunged in the chilled waters at this year's Special Olympics Polar Plunge. This year's event was held at the Shuford Recreation Center's pool in Granite Falls on Saturday, March 19 where 100 jumpers took the leap into the 58 degree waters.

Kelly Eldreth, coordinator of the event, slid down the slide to kick off the plunge. Eldreth's son, Joseph Persinger, is a Special Olympic's athlete. Joseph's Jumpers, which included family members, was the first team to jump.

"We're here to raise money for the Special Olympics, for us athletes to travel," said Persinger, talking about the support that was shown during the jump. "Everybody that comes here and jumps supports the Special Olympics all year around — all the proceeds and benefits will go to the Special Olympics."

Many of the jumpers with teachers and students demonstrated that not all lessons are taught in the classroom.

Teaching students a lesson in leadership and service through civic engagement is something that is modeled by teachers through their participation in the community through volunteering, donating, and working with service organizations.

Moving their lesson of leadership and service beyond the walls of the classroom, teachers from Granite Falls Elementary School, Dudley Shoals Elementary School, and Granite Falls Middle School brought teams of jumpers to participate in the Polar Plunge

Dana Miller, special education teacher with Granite Falls Elementary School, led a group of 43 Unified Champion students, in teams of six, as she jumped into the frigid waters. Miller is also the coach for Special Olympics Swim.

Granite Falls has 80 students, ranging from 3rd — 5th graders, who participate in the Unified Champions program. The Unified Champions program focuses on inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities through promoting a school wide climate of acceptance, respect, and support.

Miller's outfit, from head to toe, had been selected by her Unified Champions students. Miller's students painted her face with red, white, and blue paint to match the Hawaiian shirt with red and white hibiscus flowers she was wearing along the multicolored flower lei, which was draped about her neck. Miller had entered into an agreement with her students to meet their quirky request depending on the amount of money they raised for the cause. But the eccentric flair was not the only hijinx her students required of her as part of the commitment to raise money for Special Olympics, Miller also had to kiss a critter and eat bugs.

"If jumping in cold water, eating a box of crickets, kissing an animal, and being dressed crazy could raise awareness on how important the Special Olympics is for our community then I would do it everyday," said Miller. "My students and my Special Olympics athletes have made me a better person."

Miller said she ate the crickets because it was the grossest thing that she could think of, besides worms. She said she definitely could not swallow worms.

The Granite Falls Elementary School Unified Champions program raised $2,300 for Special Olympics of Caldwell County (SOCC).

Miller's daughter, Kaylee Moore who attends Caldwell Early College High School and serves alongside her mother as an assistant coach with Special Olympics Swim, also jumped.

Moore jumped with Colby Hawn, South Caldwell High School, and Brent Moretz. Both Hawn and Moretz will represent the Special Olympics of Caldwell County at the U.S.A. games in Orlando, Florida this June.

In addition, Miller's son, Trace, took the leap.

"It is important for all Special Olympic kids to feel included," said Miller on why he jumps.

Other teachers extended their lesson of service by participating with their students in the jump as well.

Blair Fairchild, who jumped as SpongeBob Square Pants, and Melissa Frisco, who dressed as Patrick from SpongeBob, both exceptional education teachers at Granite Falls Middle School, took a leap with their students, who came dressed as jellyfish. This was Frisco's fourth jump.

"It was such a fun event," said Fairchild.

Dudley Shoals Elementary School teachers Melissa Webber, exceptional education teacher; Cheryl Vosdingh, resource education teacher; and Donna Livingston, exceptional education behavioral support, showed their excitement as they stood along the edge of the pool wearing fluffy white tutus while they waited to jump.

Many jumpers came out because the athletes of the Special Olympics hold a special place in their hearts. For the families of Special Olympic athletes, the strong showing of community support filled their hearts.

"The Special Olympics means the world to us...we really do appreciate all the love and support."" said the mother of a girl with disabilities.