Unified students started a recent morning with a splash. A splash worth $1,000. 

Special Olympics Colorado held its annual “Polar Plunge” fundraiser on Saturday, April 13, with a team of 12 Lambkins joining others from around the state.

This event draws hundreds of integrated service students, teachers, parents, and supporters from all over Northern Colorado together with one goal in mind: inclusion.

This year, FCHS PE teacher Laura Barnes and social studies teacher Ben Rude participated in the festivities with a group of Unified Pals.

Rude started his morning with a 5K race before the plunge.

“I did it with my buddy Gavin, but I’m hoping more people do it with me next year,” he said. “I was the only Lambkin that did it.”

Immediately following the run was the plunge itself. Starting at around 10 a.m., participants waded into the freezing cold Windsor Lake. The ordeal was filled with giggles, smiles, and the overall feeling of pure joy and belonging.

“When you’re waiting in line to go in, it’s really nerve wracking because you’re watching all these other people go in,” Barnes said. “And then when you actually do it, it’s cold but it’s really fun and everybody’s really excited.”

Among the most excited, senior Justin, an avid member of the Unified program, has participated in the Polar Plunge three times.

“The first two years it was cold, but this year it was nice,” he said. 

Justin explained his favorite part of the event is “going in together and seeing all the people there.”

The number of FCHS participants is growing according to Rude.

“My first year there were five people who did the Plunge,” he said. “This year there were twelve, so the growth has been exponential. Next year we want twenty people to plunge.”

Justin, who is an extremely bubbly and enthusiastic part of the Unified community, said he would like to see the whole program grow. He participates in most Unified events and is a star athlete, having played basketball, soccer, and football for Unified Collins teams.

“It’s just fun,” he said. “We need more people for Unified next year.”

For more information on the Unified Program, contact Rude at [email protected] or Barnes at [email protected].