VIDEO: Clarence Schools Celebrated As Top Fundraising Group for Buffalo Polar Plunge

The celebration was in full force for members of the Clarence Central School District’s first-ever Buffalo Polar Plunge team, as the group marked their work to become the region's top fundraiser for Special Olympics New York with a full speed run into the frigid waters of Lake Erie.

“So many signed up to take part and to support this,” said Catherine Shaughnessy, one of the team’s organizers who also coaches the High School’s unified bowling team. “It shows we are a big community.”

About 130 students, staff, faculty, administrators and community members from the Clarence school community registered for the event’s Cool School Challenge Polar Plunge on December 6, raising more than $34,000 for Special Olympics New York. Clarence High School student Timmy Andruschat was recognized during the event as being the top student fundraiser with approximately $3,900 raised. High School Principal Kenneth Smith and Assistant Principal Julie Mampe, along with Superintendent Dr. Matt Frahm and members of the Clarence Board of Education were among those taking to the water for the event with the team.

The scale of the team’s accomplishments, and perhaps the icy waters at Woodlawn Beach State Park, made the experience difficult to put into words for Beth Brawn, a fellow unified coach and organizer of the District’s team.

“It took my breath away,” Brawn said. “I can’t thank the community and the students and the staff enough. We are forever grateful for this.”

Shaughnessy and Brawn said that Special Olympics New York was helpful as the District launched unified teams for bowling and basketball. Unified sports bring together student-athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to practice and compete on the same team, bringing wide ranging benefits to all involved. In addition to the athletic activities offered to students, Clarence High School and Clarence Middle School also has a Unified Club, which brings together different student groups for activities like chalk art on the school’s grounds earlier in the year.

The afternoon event had a party-like atmosphere, with team members preparing for the plunge with DJs blasting music through the large tent set up for the weekend. Among the high-profile western New Yorkers in attendance was Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins, who presented a trophy to Clarence students and led the participants out to the water in his trademark shoeless fashion.

With the wind whipping toward them as they entered the crashing waters, the event lived up to its “polar” billing. Despite the hostile conditions and cold, team members said it was worth it. Students Elli Nastiuk and Sofia Abell said the cold from getting in and out of the water nearly had them in tears.

“We did this because we love unified,” Elli said. “It’s a great experience.”

Clarence High School student Brendan Swain described getting into the water as “painful,” but that “it’s a really great cause.”

Timmy Andruschat, the top student fundraiser, had only one word to describe the water: Cold. His father, Timothy, said his son had been looking forward to the event all week, and that he “ran in like a champ,” with water up to his belly.

Timmy, who was presented the team’s trophy by Hollins with fellow student Elizabeth Jonas, likened the experience of being celebrated on stage to being a legend on the football field.

“I felt like Josh Allen,” Timmy said.

The District’s entry into the regional event is part of a push for the Clarence Central School District to become a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, which recognizes school communities that are creating inclusive environments where all students are accepted and celebrated. Schools looking to achieve this nationwide status must meet 10 standards, primarily built upon Special Olympics Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement.

Further events to bring the school community together are being planned through the rest of the school year.

Additional details about the Polar Plunge event can be found at https://events.nyso.org/site/TR?fr_id=3000&pg=entry.