• Bergman, Krisch, Saylor jump in creek to help benefit YMCA of Centre County

    pbpThe Bellefonte Area School District was well-represented the morning of Dec. 2 for the 15th annual Polar Bear Plunge at Black Moshannon State Park.

    Elementary school music teacher Dan Bergman, Marion-Walker Elementary School Principal Karen Krisch and Superintendent Michelle Saylor took the plunge into the creek that was estimated at about 35 degrees. Frozen over with about a half-inch thick layer of ice, volunteers broke it up by about 10 a.m. before the more than 100 people ran into the water.

    The event annually benefits the YMCA of Centre County. Its Cool School Challenge gives students, teachers, staff and administrators an opportunity to jump in the creek to help raise money to support campaigns at the YMCA such as the Backpack Weekend Food Program that provides a backpack of food for local students to take home to eat on the weekends.

    “Personally, I plunge because I believe in giving back and paying it forward,” Saylor said. “Over the course of my life, like so many of us, a lot of people have affected my journey, and many times others have reached out to help me. This is just one small way I can reach out to help others.”

    This was Saylor’s second time participating, and Krisch’s third. Saylor was even quoted in a CDT article about her participation. Visit the link to see the story: CDT story

    *By Brit Milazzo, public relations director, BASD