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Taking the Polar Plunge

There was a lot of laughter - though sometimes nervous laughter - prior to the annual Sub-Zero Super-Hero Polar Plunge at Blue Pony Stadium.

The Havre High School team - special education teacher Shalyee Lewis, Resource Officer Josh Holt and two other teachers - laughed and blamed each other for coming up with the idea to jump feet-first into a giant vat of water freshly filled with ice cubes.

"This is a great way to raise money and raise awareness for Special Olympics," said Lewis, who has been active in the Special Olympics for years.

Festivities began when a Special Olympian recited the pledge: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Then teams and individual jumpers lined up to take the plunge into the frigid water.

The Havre Police Department team, the Plunging Pigs, was first to take the chilly jump. The officers raised $3,700, the most of any team.

They were followed by teams as diverse as the U.S. Border Patrol, the Havre High Key Club, Havre teachers and others.

The teachers were called up, and despite their skittishness, they bravely stood on the ledge and jumped straight in to the cheers of the crowd and the Special Olympians.

There were a total of 37 jumpers, and together they raised more than $10,000.

 

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