For Their 'Hoot': Son, 25, Honors Late Mom's Legacy With Polar Plunge

MANHATTAN, IL — Laura Cler would have loved this.

The delightfully competitive Manhattan woman kept a longstanding tradition of taking the Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics, many years with at least one of her three sons by her side. An enthusiastic advocate and longtime teacher at Kirby District 140 in Tinley Park, she often went all-out with themes and fundraising boosts for the event, also "plunging" herself the last 15 years.

Now, months after her passing, her passion flows through her eldest son Jackson, who will again take the plunge in her honor—and to date has outdone fundraising by any other Kirby District 140 participants.

Laura so loved to win—she would have been thrilled.

"She competed in everything," said Jackson Cler, 25. "They always had a theme for the plunge—she was always dressed to the max, whatever the theme was. Superhero, hippie—she took that serious."

Laura Cler died in April 2024, at 55 years old. Her absence has been deeply felt among both her family—husband Dave, and sons Jackson (25), Jason (23) and Jimmy (21)—and her colleagues within the school district. Her family remained in touch with her former coworkers, and Jackson decided to attempt to pick up where she had left off with the plunge. He connected with the district to establish his fundraising page ahead of the March 1 event at the Manteno Sportsman's Club.

<< See his fundraising page. >>

"We got it set up, I set the goal for $1,000, thinking that would be nice," Jackson said.

He was stunned to see the total rise to $5,000 by Jan. 21, and now up to $7,100 on Jan. 24.

He was pleasantly surprised, but in a way, also not really.

"It shows the impact that my mom had," he said. "Whether in Kirby, or just as a person in general."

That was clear, too, during her funeral services. Cler had lived in Manhattan for 18 years.

"People were waiting two hours at times," he said, of people wanting to pay their respects. "Just seeing that, shows the impact she had on a lot of people. How much people care, want to continue her legacy."

Cler taught at Kirby District 140 for 30 years, with her last years spent in Special Education. Colleague Chrisie DeCarlo has been with the district for 18 years, and grew close with Cler in the last 10. Cler took over as the district's Special Olympics coach in 2012-2013, and the impact was instantaneous, DeCarlo said.

"It all exploded under her direction," she said. "Laura was the face of Special Olympics in our district. Her compassion, love and dedication were unmatched."

The district this year has 60 plunge participants. In past years, they've raised $20,000, through both individuals' pages and special events. Last year's total tallied $31,000.

Jackson is on pace to raise the most of any individual participant this year, and Cler would be so proud of her son.

"She would be amazed," DeCarlo said. "It would make her so happy, so proud. And so excited, because he’s winning, and there’s no way any of us could possibly catch up to that.

"He’s nailed that. No one person has ever raised that much in our group."

Cler always wanted the same edge on her "competition," DeCarlo recalled. Her coworkers have remarked on how she would have relished in her son's success.

"We were commenting how much Jackson has raised, and how we picture Laura rubbing this in our face," DeCarlo said playfully.

"If she wasn’t leading, she would find somebody to donate, or toss some money in to be on top."

Her "fierce competitiveness" pushed the district to success each year she led the Special Olympics plunge efforts, but it's also not the only trait that made her beloved.

"She was super caring and kind," Jackson Cler said. "If you would mention a small detail, she’d mention it the next time."

"She was always full of energy," DeCarlo said. "She was the life of the party, both at school and personal outings."

Cler also coached the Special Olympics basketball team, a role DeCarlo has now stepped into.

"'Will she be proud of me, or tell me I’m a lunatic for doing this?'" she remembers thinking. "It’s a huge undertaking, but in my heart, the district had to carry on."

Jackson—who followed in his mother's footsteps as a Special Education teacher at Plainfield Central High School—thanks his dad, too, for embracing the cause and supporting Laura in her efforts over the years.

"He's been great in all this," Jackson said. "He loved supporting my mom, too.

"He’s just in awe of all this, too."

District 140 Superintendent Dan Callaghan said he is happy to see Cler's legacy continue.

"We’re honored to keep Laura’s spirit alive through this year’s Polar Plunge," Callaghan said. "She was so passionate about Special Olympics, and seeing her son, Jackson, carry on her tradition is a heartfelt reminder of the lasting impact she had on all of us."

She gave herself the nickname "Hoot," and the district will honor her by dressing as owls for this year's plunge, DeCarlo said.

"We've got some things planned," DeCarlo hinted.

"She will be with us, for sure."