Fox Friday: Sam DeMarco’s Leadership Helps Polar Plunge Team Support Special Olympics Athletes

Fox Friday is a series that highlights the accomplishments of students districtwide. We regularly feature the incredible things our students are up to — whether they are excelling academically, athletically or are quietly impressive.

November 8 was the 18th Annual Westchester Polar Plunge at Playland Beach in Rye, NY, and Fox Lane High School was all in to support the Special Olympics. Thanks to the leadership of team captain Sam DeMarco, 24 Fox Lane students plunged into the chilly water, and the team raised more than $3,000.

Sam, along with seniors Tara McNamee and Mia Jacobowicz, has raised money and taken the plunge each of their four years at Fox Lane.

We reached out to Sam to learn more about the experience and what’s involved in being team captain.

You’ve participated in this event all four years of high school. How did you get involved and why is it important to you?

I originally got involved because I saw a sign posted in the school about the volunteer opportunity that helped raise money for the Special Olympics. I knew the Special Olympics was a great cause and wanted to help. After I participated in my first Polar Plunge freshman year, I had such a great time that I decided I was going to do it again. I got a few friends to join me sophomore year, and when I learned they needed a new team captain as ours was graduating, I decided to become the captain. I reached out to the school advisor and volunteered.

What does being team captain entail?

As captain, I signed the team up, worked with the Polar Plunge Organizers, promoted the event in the school by creating flyers and attending club meetings to recruit team members and reminded people to fundraise. This year, I specifically went to the Best Buddies club to recruit team members and had Pioneer team members participate for the first time.

Did you have a goal of how much money you wanted to raise?

Each year, I set a goal to raise more money than the prior year. This year I set a goal for me to personally raise enough money to support an athlete for one year, which I met. As the team captain, I also set a goal for the team to raise over $3,000, and we met and surpassed that goal, raising $3,418, supporting around seven athletes. We raised the most our school has ever raised in a few years and had the largest number of participants.

What’s it like to jump in that water on a particularly cold day?

Thankfully, we have lucked out with the weather each year. This year turned out to be exceptionally good weather with the sun shining. While the water temperature was 55 degrees, the warm air made it feel not too cold when you got out. Even though the water felt cold, I was completely submerged. Last year was the coldest due to really windy weather, but it was still a great time. 

Do you have a favorite memory from the Polar Plunges you’ve participated in?

My favorite memory is just being able to plunge with my friends each year, having fun while raising money for an important cause. 

What do you hope your peers get out of the event?

Growing the number of friends and team members each year has meant a lot. It has been nice to see other team members who have also participated since freshman year plunge as seniors and bring their younger siblings to the team. I think everyone who has participated enjoyed themselves while raising money for a worthwhile cause, the Special Olympics. We all learned you can have fun while doing volunteer work.

My hope is that the Fox Lane Foxes Polar Plunge team continues to grow each year and raise a lot of money for the Special Olympics, with support from our Fox Lane community.