On Saturday, February 21, 2009, twenty-five Vinal Tech students and Mr. Matt Noonan, Physical Education teacher, took the "plunge" for CT Special Olympics in the annual Penguin Plunge held at Crystal Lake in Middletown.  The day was sunny and very brisk and the water temperature of Crystal Lake was a balmy 38 degrees.  The theme for this year's plunge for Vinal was "hillbillies" and many of the students danced to Cotton Eyed Joe as they hit the water attempting to remain in the lake for as long as they could stand it.  Only a few brave souls could make it to remain for 1 minute or more!  Students raised $1,877 for the cause and through their efforts Vinal Tech SkillsUSA was awarded the Rockin' Schoolhouse Award for the sixth time. 

The students involved in the Penguin Plunge were Brandon Chabot, Mackenzie Engel, Leslie Espada, Aimee Gondek, Vinny Grasso, Steven Hall, Mariah Hewitt, Breanne Hunt, Derek Hunt, Zach Kane, Matt Kimball, Nicole Kopyscianski, Ray Kuritz, Kristina Levy, Kayla Marks, Barbara Mather, Alex Pinter, Ray Ramirez, Sydney Rojas, Erica Ruitto, Mike Sapia, Jeremy Tetrault, Kylie Whiles, Heather Whiles and last but not least...Mr. Noonan!!  SkillsUSA gives a big thank you to these individuals for making this a successful community service activity.