The latest pop culture trend that has been going viral on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and on other social media sites, is the ALS ice bucket challenge. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was started to raise awareness for Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS.

“I wanted to participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge because I wanted to show my support for the foundation,” said Senior Bethany Barr. “Even though I couldn’t contribute money, I hope people get to know about the disease more and how it affects people everyday.”

The challenge involves recording recording someone  nominating friends, family, and others to take the challenge, then getting ice water dumped over their heads. The challenge aims  to gain support for fighting the disease. It is meant to be a cool way to promote awareness and support for Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“I participated in it because I got nominated by two people,” senior Anna Ford said. “I hope people will walk away from this with an understanding of what ALS is and I hope to help raise money for the cause.”

The viral challenge even made its way to FHN. A raffle was held for students to win the opportunity to dump ice water over Head Principal Andy Downs,  who took the challenge at halftime at the Varsity football game on Friday night, after being nominated by Lorraine Smith and the senior class. Junior Jailan Thomas and Paul Ahlemeyer dumped the ice bucket. Junior Shannon Atkinson, on behalf of the Excalibur yearbook staff,  also participated in the challenge, and nominated the Francis Howell and Francis Howell Central High schools’ publications departments. Marching band was also nominated by the Softball team, but chose to donate to the ALS Association instead. Many other clubs, organizations and individuals in the FHN community also took part in the challenge.

“I think the ALS challenge is awesome. It bringing awareness to fight a horrific disease,” said principal Andy Downs. “The fact that that amount of money can be raised in that short period of time is great and it helps out future possibilities for a cure.”

For more information on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, visit the ALS Association’s website here.