Lauren Reuteler/Winonan

Even though weather professionals have deemed this winter a polar vortex, roughly 150 Winona State University students and Winona residents brought out their tough Minnesotan spirit to jump into a hole in a frozen Lake Winona.

The Goose Bump Jump that took place last Saturday is a fundraiser to promote youth programming sponsored by the Winona Parks & Recreation Department.

Maggie Melby, a junior at Winona State who jumped in the bitter water, said she was absolutely terrified.

For many people, like Melby, this was their first year participating in the jump. The jump has continually grown in popularity since it began nine years ago.

Each year the Winona State women’s rugby team pairs up with the recreation department to help put on the event. Rugby player and sophomore at Winona State Andrea White spent her weekend volunteering for the jump.

“Our team helps with setup on the Friday before, the event itself, and with cleanup afterward,” White said.

Before leaping into the icy waters, jumpers were able to gather in the Lake Lodge where a silent auction was taking place and free hot chocolate was handed out.

Just minutes before 11 a.m., jumpers and volunteers stepped into the winter wonderland to begin the day. The national anthem was sung as spectators gathered, volunteers prepared and jumpers lined up around the open water that would soon chill their bones.

“Right away during registration the community came together and the jumpers made it great with their excitement of it all,” White said.

As jumpers neared the head of the line, volunteers set towels and dry clothes into a nearby tent for easy access after the jump.

Professional photographers surrounded the gated area, and GoPro cameras were given to jumpers so that each moment could be captured and remembered.

Melby said, “During the jump all I could think about was, ‘why am I doing this? why am I doing this?’ but I’m glad I did it.”

Following the leap, jumpers ran their shivering bodies into the tent in search for warm clothes before heading back to the Lake Lodge where a fireplace was burning to help defrost fingers and toes.

Katie Gottstein, junior at Winona State and another jumper, said, “I am glad I did it because I was able to do something good for the community while doing something crazy for myself.”