West Irondequoit has had faculty and students participate in Rochester’s annual Polar Plunge in the past, but Sunday was unlike any other. Our “Irondequoit Icy Eagles,” a team moniker hatched in 2023 by Superintendent and team captain Aaron Johnson, had 61 plungers into Lake Ontario – more than any other group at the event! We also won the “Cool School Challenge.” Our total of $11,600 (at the time) was the most of any local school.

The donation to Special Olympics New York has now climbed to $11,928 (they can still be made via this link). The event itself topped $300,000.

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“I think it’s a tribute to our culture, our climate and how much we just care for one another in West Irondequoit,” Johnson said. “I also want to give a shoutout to Kelly Moroni. She was fantastic. She jumped in this year, rallied the students, pumped them up along the way. We couldn’t have done it without (her).”

Mrs. Moroni is a Physical Education teacher at Irondequoit High School, a coach for Unified Sports and an IHS graduate. “I am so proud of this group. It was not only our kids that got involved, but our community also got involved,” she said.

Johnson made good on his promise to students. He pledged to go under water if they raised more than $5,000 and he did so with a shallow (yet quick) dive after wading into the frigid waters. “All for a great cause,” he said.

Thank you students, staff and all who donated! The “awards” are nice. The difference the dollars will make to help Special Olympics athletes and families is the real reward!