The Thrill of the Chill: Polar Plunge 2024

By Annie Zobel

For the first year, Clarence High School participated in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. On Friday, December 6, students and staff from CHS made their way to Woodlawn Beach to jump into Lake Erie. 

The pre-plunge heated tent was packed with hundreds of kids from schools all over Western New York, ready to dunk into the icy waters. In the tent, kids (dressed head to toe in their best school spirit outfits) gathered around a stage singing along to the songs being played and attempting to catch the t-shirts being thrown. 

Each school was asked to raise money through donations; winners would earn prizes. Before the plunge, the top three schools that raised the most money were recognized. Clarence took first place, with a whopping $34,560, going way over their goal. Timmy Andruschat was a top fundraiser, raising close to $4,000. 

Although it was important to raise money, the Polar Plunge was about more than just donations. Thirty-five schools attended this event, all with one goal in mind. Spread awareness for Special Olympics, and unified sports/athletes. When asked about the plunge experience, Annie Bova, a sophomore at Clarence said, “It was really cool seeing so many schools from all over come together for a mutual cause, and it was very uplifting to see our Clarence community raise so much money for this event.”

Mack Hollins, Buffalo Bills wide receiver also attended this event. About 15 minutes before the actual plunging of Lake Erie took place, he came out onto the stage and celebrated with the rest of the students and facility. 

At 4 pm, it was time to hop into the numbing waters. People started leaving the tent in groups, walking in nothing but shorts and a t-shirt to jump into the 43-degree water. The water was rocky, with 2-4 feet waves, and lots of sharp rocks at the bottom. The sides of the pathway were lined with parents and friends anxiously waiting for this event. 

As people started to approach the water, they started taking off, running in and out. There was a range from barely getting your feet wet, to dunking your head all the way under. Instantly, the water felt sharp hitting your already cold skin, making it even more unbearable. Many came out of the water even faster than they went in, searching for a towel, and trying to make it back to the heated tent. 

After everyone had gone into the water, another dance party started. Celebrating the great accomplishment of jumping into freezing cold water. 

Despite the fact that going into 40-degree water in the middle of winter doesn’t sound the most appealing, The Polar Plunge is an amazing event, for a good cause. You can meet people from different schools, and have a great time even in the icy-cold lake. #Freezin’forareason