The Wicked Warriors took their annual plunge on Saturday, January 27th, at the Bridgewater Landings Marina. This year’s 43 member team, led by co-captains, Courtney Mottes and Elyse King, was made up of students, paraprofessionals, teachers, administrators, and board/community members. With the support of our spectacular Central Valley Community, our district raised $24,669, which contributed to this year’s Beaver County Plunge total of $159,500! All donations strengthen Special Olympics programs in our area.
For the 7th time, the Wicked Warriors have once again won the Special Olympics Cool Schools Challenge as the top school plunge team! For the first time ever, the Wicked Warriors secured the top earning Beaver County team overall! The team has raised $125,355 in the last 12 years; the money raised directly supports our Central Valley students with special needs in grades K-12 by providing Special Olympics programs such as Bocce, Track and Field, Unified Youth Clubs, Young Athletes, as well as other programs offered throughout the county.
Highlights to this year’s team included the addition of several CV students who were brave enough to enter the cold waters of the Beaver River to raise awareness and funds in support of their peers. High school student, Dominic Suhayda (gr. 10), followed in his mother’s footsteps, former CV teacher, Wicked Warrior Captain, and Founder, Nicole Suhayda, to raise money and awareness in honor of his sister. The team also included young plungers: Danika Bielby (gr. 5), Aidan Conkle (gr. 6), Camdyn McKittrick (gr. 2), and Skyler McKittrick (Kdg.). We also had several businesses support the team through sponsorship and major fundraiser contributors such as Emily Dincher, Jessica Houston, Marie King, Sherri Miceli, and Dominic Suhayda. Also, a special thank you to Stephanie Kelly for designing our annual team shirt logos. We are very proud of these young Warriors and the new partnerships we’ve made and hope to see many additions to our team in the future!
The District’s Comprehensive plan states that the Vision of the Central Valley Schools is “to be the leading educational model fostering individual success for all students” which our staff and community are clearly committed to making sure that vision holds true for our students with special needs. Thank you to all who contributed to another successful Wicked Warrior Polar Plunge. Go Warriors!
