Featured Team
Dumbarton Middle School Team Finds Helping Others and Having Fun to be Award-Winning Combination
By all accounts, the inaugural Frigid Friday Plunge was a bone-chilling blast. The event, held the Friday before the 2010 MSP Polar Bear Plunge, hosted 25 school teams on the beach at Sandy Point Park last January, raising an unprecedented $60,000 for Special Olympics Maryland. But when it was said and done, only one team was crowned King of the Beach. Dumbarton Middle School’s group, aka “Team DMS” had 75 students, parents and teachers participate and raised $12,366 -- the most of any group in the Cool Schools Challenge—earning them the top spot in the rankings.
For Samantha Sharbonda, a Dumbarton teacher and captain of Team DMS, the accolades took a back seat to the profound difference that their involvement in the Plunge made on Special Olympics Maryland.
“All of the students were really honored to receive the top school award, but I think that they were more pleased that they were making a big difference in the lives of the [SOMD] athletes,” Sharbonda said.
“At Dumbarton, we make efforts everyday to support and learn about our diverse human community. While winning the top school award was exciting, our Plunge team was more interested in supporting the SOMD athletes and having a FUN time on Plunge Day.”
By winning top honors, a fun day on the beach got even better. Sharbonda said that her heart skipped a beat when she found out they earned top honors. As a result, an article on Team DMS was published in their school newspaper and they were mentioned in the school’s morning announcements. The plaque certifying Team DMS as the top school now hangs in Dumbarton’s main office; Sharbonda said she smiles every time she sees it.
Sharbonda first heard about the Plunge in 2008 listening to 98 Rock and convinced a few teachers to be on her team. That next year, 2009, her school participated in the Cool Schools Challenge and her team swelled from 12 members to 42—comprised of teachers, students, parents and friends.
When she first started, Sharbonda said she had trouble recruiting team members because they were hesitant to get into the cold water.
“Most people think I’m absolutely crazy for Plunging. They meet me and say, ‘You don’t actually do it, do you? You’re so small; you would freeze as soon as you hit the water.’
“I just smile and say, ‘Yup, I’m a Plunger! You should be too!’”
She discloses that she only goes into the water to the ‘bottom of her bottom.’ Because, after all, even a toe in the water counts as a Plunge.
Already this year Team DMS has 57 Plungers signed up for the Cool Schools Challenge, with over $5,400 in contributions. To raise funds, they’ve set up a Spirit Night at their local Chick-fil-A and a Celebration Night in January at the Greene Turtle. Every year, Sharbonda said she is “amazed” at the level of support the Towson community provides for her students’ efforts.
“While we would really like to beat last year’s record, we will be happy with whatever happens. It’s most important for our middle school children to learn the value and reward of helping others. If that goal is achieved, then we are a success.”
