St. Benedict School Takes the Polar Plunge!

St. Benedict Catholic Church and School from Holmdel, New Jersey took the Polar Plunge in Long Branch beach’s icy waters on Sunday, January 12th to support Catholic school education. Fourteen school students, one brave Pastor and several parishioners, school parents and family friends took the chilly plunge to raise money for their school. Over $7,200 was raised by pledges donated from the plungers’ fundraising efforts and participation in the final event.

Congratulations to St. Benedict School’s fourteen student plungers, listed below for being such incredible POLAR BEARS!

Austin Zampitella – Kindergarten (plunged with his Dad, John), Thomas Angelo – 2nd grade (plunged with his dad, Thomas, as well as Michele Masucci, and Alexandra Vento) Blake Cregg-Wedmore – 2nd grade (plunged with her dad, Andy), William Rayski – 3rd grade, Cal Lugay – 4th grade (plunged with his dad, Chuck), James Radics – 5th grade, Augie Granatelli – 5th grade, Andrew Rayski – 5th grade, Grant Gallagher – 6th grade, Joseph Troiano – 6th grade, Matthew Rayski – 7th grade, Erica Lalor – 8th grade (plunged with her dad, Robert), Kyle Balcezak – 8th grade, Frankie Radics – 8th grade

Last, but certainly not least, special thanks to Father Dan, Pastor of St. Benedict Church (and Chief Polar Bear.) The continued commitment to St. Benedict Church and School is evident in the participation by groups from both the school and parish. Along with Father Dan, two of the parishioners who plunged for SBS were Frank Cannarozzo and Mrs. Tupino. Mrs. T. expressed her love of the school as she shared that she does the plunge year after year because of "how much she loved SBS, Ms. Lilly, and Kathy Lombardi" when her three children were students here.

Also, lest we forget the parents of students who also plunged, thanks to Tom Dunn, Steve Loniewski, Chuck Lugay, Amy and Steve Cook, John Zampitella, Thomas Angelo, Andy Wedmore, Robert Lalor, and Tom Rutkowski, also an Alumni of SBS.

St. Benedict wishes to express its sincere gratitude to all the plungers, cheerleaders, and parents/supporters who came out and supported their school for an excellent cause.

GO REBELS!