ABOVE: Fairmont High School senior Gabby Leiding, Math teacher Mark Hernes and senior Haleigh Grotzinger proudly hold the Cool School Polar Plunge flag. The three will be among the first individuals to take the ice cold plunge on Wednesday, March 5 at Fairmont High School.

FAIRMONT — Make a splash; make an impact. With inclusivity on its minds, Fairmont High School and the greater Fairmont community is ‘diving headfirst’ into its 11th annual (fourth annual mobile) Cool School Polar Plunge.

The event will begin at approximately 2 p.m. on March 5 at the north side of the school’s parking lot. Despite the plunge being just days away, it’s not too late to contribute to a powerful mission.

Mark Hernes has taught math at Fairmont High School since 2001. Since 2013, he has helped arrange the annual Polar Plunge. While coordinating the local fundraiser, Hernes has been encouraging Fairmont students to advocate for Special Olympics athletes with a jump into the chilly water.

Seniors Haleigh Grotzinger and Gabby Leiding are long-time plungers. Grotzinger has completed the plunge five times in a row while Leiding has completed three plunges.

“I enjoy it,” Grotzinger said about her years of plunging. “It’s for a good cause, and it’s also really fun. It’s a good way to support the Special Olympics.”

The two seniors and Hernes are making numerous efforts to raise awareness about the Cool School Polar Plunge by hanging posters, sharing the event by word of mouth and recruiting at their school.

Several students, staff members and even local businesses have stepped up to the plate to support inclusivity in Fairmont. Grotzinger reported that she and other Polar Plunge registrants hope to have more students on board by promoting the event and its mission during school lunch.

“Word of mouth is the most effective,” Hernes said. “Right now, we have over 50 people registered, but we get about 100 to 125 registrants on average.”

The seniors shared that many people are initially reluctant to jump in the near-freezing water but become intrigued upon seeing others, especially their peers, brave the plunge.

“The community sees what we’re doing, and they’re willing to support it. It’s for a cause, but it’s fun. People are scared, but once you do it once, you realize how great it is,” Leiding said.

On the date of the event, the plungers will jump into a four-foot deep body of 30 to 45 degree water called “The Plungster,” which can hold 2,100 gallons of water and is 27,600 pounds while filled. By having the remote plunge at Fairmont High School, depending on adequate lake conditions or traveling to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area is no longer necessary.

The Fairmont High School students who are involved in Special Olympics made Grotzinger and Leiding’s determination to help the organization even stronger.

“It feels good to know we’re helping [the fellow students],” Grotzinger said.

Not only does it benefit Special Olympic athletes, but it benefits the plungers, too, by creating lasting bonds and memories.

“It’s a good way to add connection through the student body,” Leiding said, “You meet a lot of other people who jumped and form teams.”

“The event helps people open out. I’ve never seen someone stand out in the school. There’s always someone talking to someone,” Grotzinger added.

The school aims to raise $12,000 and has currently raised $3,892. A generous amount of the proceeds collected at the event’s conclusion will support the Special Olympics athletisure, with another amount to support the Fairmont’s Unified Cardinals group and future endeavors to raise awareness about inclusion.

“We have great students here who believe in the cause,” Hernes said. “It’s a fun way to make a statement.”

Grotzinger and Leiding shared that they hope to see the registrant count grow.

Plungers are encouraged to bring a pair of shoes, a towel and warm clothes on the day of the event. Registration for Martin County students, community members, businesses and anyone else are available until 2 p.m. on March 5. For those who are not interested in getting wet, monetary donations for the individual Cool School Polar Plunge teams and Special Olympics itself will be accepted. Incentives and prizes will be available depending on the amount of money collected. There are no restrictive qualifications to make the plunge, and participants are encouraged to raise at least $75 by Special Olympics and Plunge Minnesota. For additional information on registration, donation and Special Olympics support, visit plungemn.org or specialolympicsminnesota.org.