L-R: Emma Fleurent is accompanied by her helper, Megan Lafleur, as they dive together at the first Blue Devil Dip on 3/13/24 in the parking lot of Fairhaven High School, when more than 60 people dove into a portable pool as a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics in support of the Unified Sports Team, with Steve Huftalen of the Special Olympics keeping an eye on things. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
Fairhaven High School students and members of the community dipped in the cold waters of a portable pool to support the Special Olympics of Massachusetts. On Wednesday, 3/14/24, eight teams with more than 60 participants, jumped or walked into the chilly waters exceeding the $2500 goal by…a lot, raising $9672.00.
Members of the Unified Club, Ambassador’s Club, Girls Lacrosse, Boys Lacrosse, Softball, Baseball, the Davis Boys, and the Fairhaven Police Department participated in the first time event for FHS.
A couple of hundred people also showed up to cheer on the brave ones in the parking lot of FHS on a pretty chilly day.
Kathy Lutz, direct of school initiatives for Special Olympics said the event showed that Fairhaven has made inclusion a priority in the schools.
Coach Angie Allaire said the fund-raising “far exceeded our wildest expectations.”
Maddie Moura won the award for top fund-raiser, for bringing in a whopping $1785.
After the dip, Emma Fleurent won the “Most Spirited” award after needing several attempts to gather her courage to jump, and then going for it with gusto.
Organizers said they hope to make it an annual event.
Special Olympics allows athletes of differing abilities to compete in the sports they love sponsoring lifelong friendships and competitive spirits, and celebrating inclusion for athletes on and off the playing field.
Learn more at https://www.specialolympicsma.org
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- L-R: Richard Senna starts his cannonball at the first Blue Devil Dip on 3/13/24 in the parking lot of Fairhaven High School, when more than 60 people dove into a portable pool as a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics in support of the Unified Sports Team. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Kyra Joseph and Carlee Bissonnette dive in at the first Blue Devil Dip on 3/13/24 in the parking lot of Fairhaven High School, when more than 60 people dove into a portable pool as a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics in support of the Unified Sports Team. Photo by Beth David.
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- Abby Hooley and Sophia Fleurent dive in at the first Blue Devil Dip on 3/13/24 in the parking lot of Fairhaven High School, when more than 60 people dove into a portable pool as a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics in support of the Unified Sports Team. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Barrett Becotte and Will Foster dive right in at the first Blue Devil Dip on 3/13/24 in the parking lot of Fairhaven High School, when more than 60 people dove into a portable pool as a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics in support of the Unified Sports Team. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Danyka Fonseca and Anne Fleurent dive in at the first Blue Devil Dip on 3/13/24 in the parking lot of Fairhaven High School, when more than 60 people dove into a portable pool as a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics in support of the Unified Sports Team. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Brothers Hudson and Carson, dressed as Ranch Dressing and Mustard, dive in at the first Blue Devil Dip on 3/13/24 in the parking lot of Fairhaven High School, when more than 60 people dove into a portable pool as a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics in support of the Unified Sports Team. Photo by Beth David.
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- Emma Fleurent shows her delight at winning the “Most Spirited” award for jumping into the water at the first Blue Devil Dip on 3/13/24 in the parking lot of Fairhaven High School, when more than 60 people dove into a portable pool as a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics in support of the Unified Sports Team. Photo by Beth David.
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- Maddie Moura accepts the award for raising a whopping $1785.00 for the first Blue Devil Dip on 3/13/24 in the parking lot of Fairhaven High School, when more than 60 people dove into a portable pool as a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics in support of the Unified Sports Team. Photo by Beth David.
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- Members of the Unified Club post for pictures after diving into the pool at the first Blue Devil Dip on 3/13/24 in the parking lot of Fairhaven High School, when more than 60 people dove into a portable pool as a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics in support of the Unified Sports Team. L-R: Substitute teacher, Johanna Thorp; Megan Lafleur; Emma Fleurent; Maddie Moura; Taylor Desmarais; Maeve Bradshaw; Arden Bradshaw. Photo by Beth David.
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