The USC #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge is the trend that struck Elkhorn North swiftly and suddenly. Within one week, most students participated in the challenge and have nominated others to do the same.
The challenge is very simple. All students have to do is record themselves getting ice water dumped on their heads after being nominated. Each video the nominee thanks whoever nominated them and nominates 2-5 more people to participate in a matter of 24 hours.
The purpose of this challenge is to raise awareness for mental health by dumping a bucket of ice water on the head of the nominee. Nominating multiple people and starting a domino effect illustrates a creative community where people are open to post on social media for this cause.
The viral challenge made its first appearance in 2014 to raise awareness for ALS, but this time it adds more influence with social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
This challenge caught fire in Elkhorn North because it gives a chain reaction through different friend groups. Many students like to participate in this because it gives them a sense of involvement and belonging knowing that they are a part of something big and they can participate with all their friends. Though this challenge isn’t for everyone, a lot of people would rather not participate because they don’t want to feel peer pressured or because simply, they don’t want to get drenched in cold water.
“I thought the challenge was really fun besides the part where I got ice water dumped on me,” junior Sheldon Manion said. “After that it was fine though.”
There are some people that say “I’m not going to do it” or “This challenge is stupid” until they get nominated and feel included, so they end up participating in the challenge. These attitudes are part of the challenge’s charm, adding humor and peer pressure.
“At first I had 5 people nominate me, and I told them I wasn’t going to do it because I thought it was stupid,” junior Kyla Henthorn said. “I eventually did do it.”
Dramatic reactions, creative ways to dump the water, and seeing who is nominated to do the challenge next is all the reason that makes this challenge so popular. As more people get involved, the more the fear of missing out builds because questions go around about who nominated who and people don’t want to be the odd man out.
This challenge brings several positive effects to Elkhorn North. These simple 15 second videos bring people together during creation, and show connections within friend groups. The ice bucket challenge has also reminded people that social media can be used for better distractions than just likes, comments, and reposts. Rather than Instagram being used as a platform for drama, it can be used as a platform for spreading awareness and positivity.
Though this trend only lasts for a few days, it helps students get through the week by letting them do something fun and connect with their friends. This challenge was not about the cold water, but bringing the students together to participate in something huge.
