The Polar Plunge

Pushing through the cold water temperature, the Newtown Unified Team participated in a fundraising event for Special Olympics and Unified Sports on March 28, where those who volunteered would take part in the polar plunge at Wolfe Park in Monroe. 

Kimya Knecht, the Coach and Director of Unified Sports, brought her team to the event to help promote inclusion for the Special Olympics. Knecht has contributed to Newtown High School's special education for years. Unified has been lucky to have such a powerful director to lead the program and promote inclusion. Including this recent polar plunge fundraiser. All together the team raised 43,400 dollars for around 14,000 athletes with all abilities. 

“Half of the funds go to the Special Olympics and the other half come directly to our unified team. It helps us pay for the uniforms, events that we do, and pizza that everyone loves. It also helps fund the third unified basketball coach for the competitive team. So we can have that competitive team,” Knecht said.

The money raised from the Polar Plunge is used to improve the programs and better fit them to students. And to also support the people who participate and make the club enjoyable and like a family.

“I think the polar plunge is an amazing experience because it brings mentors closer with the athletes, and everyone has a good experience during the plunge. Everyone is brought closer in such a comforting way, and we're all in this together,” NHS sophomore Charlotte Grasso said.  

Special Olympics and Unified are an inclusive space for everyone through middle school and high school. Students with special needs are able to express themselves through this club and be who they are. Unified gives opportunities to high schoolers on the spectrum and allows them to be included in sports and with their peers. The polar plunge not only represents the diversity and inclusion unified represents, but the people who participate in it and make it happen. It unifies everyone together and creates a strong community. 

“I think the polar plunge was a beneficial experience for unified, not only because it raises money, but it raises a community where we get to be included with all of the other teams,” NHS sophomore Stella Wasley said. 

Along with Mrs Knecht, many other Special Education teachers attended to support the team. It also was open to people outside of Unified to join the team. However, the fundraiser couldn't have been possible without those who volunteered to plunge for the good cause. 

“The experience is so beneficial because its fun and its encouraging to see people willing to donate for the good cause. It also brings us all together as a team because it is something you would not normally do. In the moment when you’re freezing you're not necessarily thinking its the best thing, but when you get out of the water and you're together, and you have that shared experience, it’s really great for everyone,” Knecht said.