Students, Staff Take Polar Plunge To Support Special Olympics

A team of Steel Valley students and staff took a freezing cold dip in a pool outside of Acrisure Stadium on Friday, February 21. The frigid swim was for Special Olympics Pennsylvania's annual Cool Schools Polar Plunge, a campaign that helps raise awareness and funds for the organization.

Steel Valley's Unified Bocce Team partnered with the High School Student Council to organize the school's participation in the event this year. The students helped raise $4,295 to help Special Olympics Pennsylvania. The funds help Special Olympics Pennsylvania train and support over 15,000 student-athletes who participate in its programs - like Unified Bocce - throughout the state.

Steel Valley's contingent of about 72 students plus some brave staff members and administrators adopted a "Frozen" theme for this year's Polar Plunge. Some students wore t-shirts with the line, "The cold never bothered me anyway," from the movie. High school principal Mr. John Strom showed up as Sven the Reindeer from the film, while athletic director Mr. Shawn McCallister wore a Frosty the Snowman costume. Even superintendent Mr. Bryan Macuga and school board president Mr. Jim Bulger took the plunge.

Thank you to everyone who donated as part of this campaign and to the students and staff who braved the cold for a good cause! 

Enjoy some photos from the event.