
On Tuesday December 17th, the TJ PATS program held the highly anticipated volleyball game in efforts to raise funds for the 2025 Polar Plunge. By purchasing a $5 wristband, the TJ family showed their support and attended the game as spectators or as players in the net. Groups such as BSU, Sports Talk, Unified Bocce, the Baseball Team, Best Buddies, and other energetic teams filled the volleyball arena.
A special thanks to our coaches for being the most attentive referees, as well as for our diligent score keepers. Another round of thanks for the staff team who played their absolute best to defeat the students, while lifting the audience spirits with impressive collaboration.


The Unified Bocce team and the Baseball Team started off the tournament with an impressive play, with the Baseball Team earning the win after a close battle. Other awe-inspiring matches included the Sports Talk Club vs. Baseball, Staff vs. BSU, Best Buddies vs. Flag Football, and more. All teams were supportive of each other and proudly celebrated their wins while also humbly accepting their defeat. The student spectators as well as club advisors cheered on their teams and added to the positive sportsmanship. Academic advocacy clubs such as Rho Kappa and NHS also joined the fundraiser and put forth their best effort. The TJ PATS program and clubs such as Unified Bocce and Best Buddies proudly represented the Special Education Department and were filled with the team spirit.

Throughout the event, TJ’s renowned MC, Coach Marshall, encouraged the teams and sprinkled the crowd with humor. Ultimately, the final and ecstatic match took place between Sports Talk and Baseball. This last game filled the TJ gym with loud excitement. The Baseball Team mostly consisted of seniors while the Sports Talk team had a junior class majority and members of the GTJHS boys soccer team. This further heightened the competitive energy as the match turned into Juniors vs. Seniors and Soccer vs. Baseball. Both teams played extremely well, and the Baseball team took home the win with a 1 point difference: 15-14.
The PATS Volleyball tournament funds the GTJHS donation team known as the Patriot Plungers who will be participating in the Cool Schools Plunge on January 29, 2025 at Sandy Point State Park. The plunge will go for two days in efforts to raise money for the Maryland Special Olympics, to ensure that athletes have free access to develop their physical fitness as well as sportsmanship.
So far, the Patriot Plungers have raised more than $20,000 for the cause and are currently designated second in Maryland’s top team rankings. GTJHS is proud to participate in the 2025 Polar Plunge and encourages further participation as well as donations.

Show your support using the donation link here.
Thank you to all the students and staff who participated in the PATS volleyball tournament, and for all the generous donors who support Maryland Special Olympics.