Sunday March 6,  was a bright and sunny day with a slight breeze.The outside temperature was about 43 degrees. For many it seemed too cold to go diving into the ocean, but 10 brave Key Club members and their advisor, Mrs. Montgomery, disagreed. They all took part in the Penguin Plunge at Ocean Beach in New London to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Family and friends were asked to donate money for them to jump into the 41 degree ocean. “It was so cold,” senior Riley Lindsey said. “After getting out of the water we all rushed for our towels and to go inside.”

Senior Mike Leandri was not as bothered by the cold water. “At first I was in shock, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. The worst part was getting out with the cold air blowing on me,” he said.

Senior Hannah Arnold is a veteran plunger. “I’ve done Special Olympics track and field since sixth grade and the Penguin Plunge raises money for Special Olympics,” she said. “… it was something really close to me… this [is] my third time doing it and I just love doing it with all of the crazy costumes and fun people.”

Ledyard’s club raised more $2,000 and overall the fundraiser generated $65,000.

 Dani Tynan, Editor-in-Chief of Horizons Yearbook

Senior Dani Tynan is the Editor-in-Chief of the 2015-2016 Horizons Yearbook. She is on the volleyball and softball team and she participates in Operation Smile. She will attend Eastern Connecticut State University to study Elementary Education next fall.