Last year over 13,000 Plungers across Pennsylvania braved icy waters at nine locations across the state, including at Canoe Creek State Park, to raise over $2.4 million to support Special Olympians.

Tyrone seniors Cian Hockenberry and Ian Gibbons were among the local participants last year, but they were the only two Tyrone Area High School students to take the plunge.

Both plan to do it again this year, and they are determined to recruit more Tyrone students and staff to join them.

“People should do this event because it is fun and is for a good cause,” Hockenberry said.

The Tyrone plunge team is organized by TAHS Health Tech teacher and HOSA adviser Christie Taylor. She has organized groups as small as two (like last year) to as large as 17 to do the plunge.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, February 8th, 2025 and any Tyrone student or staff member is invited to join the HOSA team.

To learn more about the local event, click HERE for the official Central PA Polar Plunge website.

“Cian and I got a couple more people to do it this year and we encourage anyone else to do it as well,” Gibbons said.

Taylor would like to see as many students as possible participate this year.

Students who are interested in this event should see Mrs. Taylor in room 135.

For every dollar that students donate, their name will be put into a drawing for a $25 gift card to Olive Garden.

Donations can be given to any team member, Taylor, or YAN adviser Mrs. Tracy Redinger.

The drawing will take place on Friday, February 7th, the day before the plunge.