The Iona Preparatory “Plungers” were named New York State’s top team for the third year in a row due to their vast fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. The Plungers were presented with the award by Special Olympics New York Director of Development Kaitlin Brennan during a special presentation at Iona Prep on Dec. 17, 2018. Thanks to the fundraising efforts, more than 100 Special Olympics Athletes will now be able to participate in the games for free.
The team raised $46,000 at the 10th annual Westchester Polar Plunge, where over 100 students jumped into ice-cold waters at Glen Island Park on Nov. 17, 2018.
This year marks the Plungers’ fourth consecutive “Cool School Challenge” trophy. Due to the fundraising efforts of their team, more than 100 Special Olympics athletes will now be able to participate for free.
“Our goal is always to do the best we can for these incredible athletes,” Patricia Gray, Plungers club moderator and English teacher at Iona Preparatory told the Daily Voice. “We are thrilled to keep growing our efforts and to, once again, take home the state title. It makes jumping into that freezing water absolutely worth it!”
This award signifies the eighth time in ten years that the Prep Plungers were named the top Westchester school. The team has raised almost $200,000 in total for the Special Olympics since Westchester Polar Plunge began.
