Western Pennsylvania high school students take Polar Plunge for Special Olympics
Fox Chapel Area High School students suited up as characters from the Disney movie “Frozen.”
It was the perfect fashion for Friday morning.
With temperatures in the 30s and wind chills in the 20s, the teens took a plunge into 4 feet of cold water — dressed at Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, Sven — and came out, well, nearly frozen.
They were one of 20 Pennsylvania high schools — including Highlands, Deer Lakes, Franklin Regional and Norwin — participating in the 12th annual Pittsburgh Polar Plunge outside Heinz Field on the North Shore. The event raises money for Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
The high schools were part of the Cool Schools Plunge. To participate, plungers must raise a minimum of $35.
The pool is not heated. It was filled on Thursday with temperatures dropping into the mid-20s.
“It’s about helping others. And when you do that, you grow as well,” said Mia Nury, a junior at Fox Chapel who was dressed as Kristoff. “It brings us joy, and it brings them joy.”
They decided to wear costumes to make the event even more fun and to possibly connect with other special needs teens who might know the movie, according to Molly Piper, a junior at Fox Chapel, dressed as Sven.
“It was fun,” said Marin Cusano, a freshman, dressed as Elsa.
Fox Chapel students raised $17,837.
This was the second year for Gwen Shilling, a junior, from Franklin Regional High School. She participated in 2020.
“It wasn’t as bad as that year,” she said. “It was 17 degrees and there was ice on the top of the pool.”
Shilling talked classmate Sydney Jackson into taking the plunge. Jackson said she could endure being cold for a few minutes to help those with special needs.
“It was really windy, but someone with special needs has tougher challenges than a little bad weather. I was only cold for a few minutes. I love the special needs community. I want to help them as much as possible.”
Jackson and Shilling said they have special needs students in gym class and being with them is the highlight of the day.
“It is life-changing knowing them,” Shilling said. “People are so quick to judge by the way someone looks. They are the most genuine people I know.”
The event was all about inclusion, said Sydney Schutzman, a sophomore at Fox Chapel who was dressed as Anna.
The money will help the school continue to fund its unified sports teams.
“It is so important to help people with disabilities, “ said Jordan Centofanti, a junior, at Bethlehem-Center School District in Fredericktown, Washington County. “Anything I can do to help I will.”
Deer Lakes students took the opposite theme of Fox Chapel. The students dressed in tropical looks from Hawaiian shirts to swimsuits, bucket hats and sunglasses.
“We are here for our bocce team,” said Deer Lakes senior Dom Tristani, who is a member of the undefeated unified bocce team, which pairs people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. “It was pretty cold.”
“I got talked into doing this,” said Noah Condle, a sophomore, with a smile. “This is the coldest I have ever been. It was certainly an experience.”
That experience is an important one, according to Deer Lakes life skills teacher Autumn Weleski. She said being part of this event is about instilling values and developing real friendships, as well as spreading awareness about the special needs population.
“It is very important for students to learn the importance of inclusion,” said Jenna Wilson, learning support teacher at Deer Lakes. “No one should be excluded.”
Hope Warner of Brighton Heights, supervisor of special education for Pittsburgh Public Schools, agreed. She, David May-Stein, a lead advisor for Special Olympics and former Pittsburgh Public Schools educator from Wilkins; and Karen Arnold, of Brookline, director of Interscholastic Athletics for Pittsburgh Public Schools, jumped in the pool.
“We are here to raise awareness,” said Warner. “The money raised helps fund these programs. We are ‘freezin’ for a reason.’”
Arnold said she did it “for the kids.”
“When I first jumped in, it was an initial shock to my system,” she said. “But once I was in the water it wasn’t that bad.”
Dressed in a gorilla suit, Norwin Senior High School junior Kinsey Momeyer said she thought the costume would make jumping in the water not so bad.
Norwin sophomore Anthony Altier’s mother Triscia Altier said her son enjoyed the event. He said it was amazing and he was happy to get out of school for a while.
“It was really, really cold,” Momeyer said. “I have met so many friends through Special Olympics. These friendships are a part of who I am.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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