Holley students take the Polar Plunge and raise $2,300 for Special Olympics

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2024 at 11:42 am

Photos courtesy of Holley Central School

HOLLEY – A group of Holley students and staff took the Polar Plunge on Sunday, going into the cold water of Lake Ontario.

The Holley group raised $2,327 for the Special Olympics. The 15 Holley students are in the Student Council and the Interact Club.

Jim DiSessa, the High School Student Council advisor, has led the Holley group for about a decade in the Plunge. The group was also joined on Sunday by Principal Matt Feldman and six faculty members.

“It makes a difference when you have staff members who are encouraging students to give back to the community, getting involved with them and showing up for them,” DiSessa said.

There were 1,800 people who took the plunge at Ontario Beach Park and set a new record raising $360,000.

DiSessa said the plunge has become an annual tradition for Holley.

“Our students enjoy doing the Polar Plunge because it raises money for and helps bring awareness to a great cause, the Special Olympics,” he said. “I think students enjoy the event because it is different, which makes it fun.”