Decorah High School’s Special Olympics and Unified Champions groups, in partnership with Special Olympics Iowa, will host a Polar Plunge fundraising event on May 15^th at Decorah High School to raise awareness for individuals with intellectual disabilities and support the Decorah Special Olympics and Unified Champions programs. This will take place over the lunch hours between 11am and 12:40 pm.

Special Olympics Iowa will bring a 2,500-gallon tank to Decorah for the event. Participants will take the plunge into icy waters to raise funds for local Special Olympics programs, which have expanded over the past year. These programs now offer a variety of activities and events that allow Decorah students with intellectual disabilities to compete in athletics while promoting social inclusion. Both programs aim to continue growing, providing even more opportunities in the future.

How to Participate and Donate
To donate or register for the plunge, visit the event link and select an individual or team to support. You can also register yourself to take the plunge for a great cause. The four participating teams include School Staff, Students, Community, and Luther College. To donate to a specific participant, simply type their name into the designated box when prompted.

The Purpose of the Cool School Plunge
 The Polar Plunge is not just about fundraising—it is a symbol of community spirit and inclusion. DHS Principal Brad Hurst emphasized, “The Polar Plunge represents so much more than a spirited event—it embodies the heart of who we are at Decorah High School. As a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, we are deeply committed to fostering inclusion, empathy, and authentic connections among students of all abilities. The plunge provides a meaningful opportunity for our students, staff, and community members to unite behind a shared purpose: celebrating the dignity of every individual and demonstrating that we are willing to go to great lengths—yes, even into freezing water—to support one another. It’s a joyful and courageous expression of school spirit, but even more, it’s a testament to the culture of compassion and community we strive to build daily at DHS.”

DHS Teacher Andy Carlson echoed these sentiments: “Personally, I applaud our school district and John Dunt in particular for pushing to make our school more inclusive and for celebrating all of our student athletes. This is about giving everyone an opportunity to compete, especially our students with special needs. I believe that supporting our own chapter of the Special Olympics through fundraising is important because it provides our athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop physical fitness, build confidence, and experience the joy of competition just like everyone else. Hopefully this fundraising drive will ensure that these athletes will have access to more additional opportunities to compete in the future—all at no additional cost to them or their families. It also promotes inclusivity, raises awareness about the abilities of individuals with disabilities, and fosters a more accepting and supportive community. My hope is that by contributing, we can help to create life-changing experiences that further empower our athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the field.”

When asked why she was participating in the Cool School Plunge, DHS teacher Felecia DeJong explained, “I am choosing to take the plunge because I am so proud of the inclusive work our school is doing. It’s amazing to watch the work our staff and students have been putting into working toward becoming an official Unified Champions School. I want to do my part in helping drive this goal forward. I believe it’s important for all of our students to have the kind of opportunities that make them feel like they have a moment to shine.”

Expansion of Special Olympics and Unified Champions Programs
The Decorah Schools Special Olympics program has traditionally competed in Bowling and Track at the regional level, with some athletes advancing to the State competition in Bowling. Additionally, students have participated in Unified Sports Days at Luther College and Wartburg College. The program is actively exploring additional activities to offer more opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.

DHS Unified Champions, a new group launched last year with the encouragement of Special Olympics Iowa, pairs Special Olympic athletes with their peers. The group meets monthly to plan inclusive activities and leadership opportunities. The program’s growth has been remarkable, starting with Inclusion Week and the Unified Basketball game with varsity players last spring, and expanding to include a Unified Football game during Homecoming Week, a second Inclusion Week, a Unified Basketball game in Des Moines during the Boys State Tournament, and upcoming events such as the Unified Relays during a home track meet and a Unified Sports Day for elementary-aged special education students.

John Dunt, Coordinator of Decorah Schools Special Olympics and Unified Champions programs, shared his enthusiasm: “When Special Olympics Iowa contacted me about DHS becoming a Unified Champion School, I thought it would be a great opportunity for my athletes to become more involved. With the support of administration and our entire school community, it has grown into something I cannot even believe. The entire school, students and staff alike, get excited when we are doing something, and so many want to get involved. The levels of student involvement during our Inclusion Weeks and Unified games have exceeded my expectations. It goes to show the character of Decorah High School and the entire Decorah community.”

About Special Olympics and Unified Champions:
Special Olympics Iowa supports individuals with intellectual disabilities by providing year-round sports training and competition. The Unified Champions program promotes social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in sports and activities, fostering understanding, empathy, and a stronger school community.

For more information or to register for the Polar Plunge, visit the link or contact the DHS Special Olympics and Unified Champions groups at 563-382-3643.