Dutchess BOCES staff and students raised an incredible $17,954 for the Special Olympics by jumping into the cold waters of Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill on February 19 during the annual Polar Plunge. BOCES employees have participated, collecting pledges for their bravery, since 2015.
CTI instructor Erin Scott and Salt Point Center teacher Tracey Smith led the huge team of 33 people once again. Special Olympics has a special place in Scott’s heart as she has volunteered to coach Special Olympic athletes since 1996.
The BOCES team included students, teachers, principals and District Superintendent Jason Schetelick, who enjoyed the experience, despite the frigid temperatures.
“It’s a great group of people and a wonderful cause,” the superintendent said. “I’m going to jump into a sauna after this.”
Scott, who jumped into the water twice, was pleased to have the support of administration, students and her colleagues. This was the first year students from the Career Technical Institute and Alternative High School participated.
“To be able to jump with my coworkers and then again with my students was amazing,” Scott said. “The snow was just an added bonus.”
Students helped in other ways besides jumping in the water. Graphic design students created a logo for the sweatshirts participants received, while security and law students earned work-based learning hours for assisting with security and parking.
“Next year the graphic students will be creating the sweatshirts,” Scott said.
Scott looks forward to getting BOCES back involved with Special Olympics once BETA students are at the Salt Point campus in the new gym where a unified sports team can form.
“Hopefully we will be able to get our students back into competitions as well,” she said.
Second-year construction student Sean Hagerty, who individually raised $1,300 for the cause, was convinced to participate by Scott. While Hagerty was numb after jumping in the water, he knew it was for a good cause.
“I just wanted to do something for my community,” he said. “It was fun.”
