Ever since the University of South Carolina’s Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club kickstarted their ice bucket challenge for mental health, Latin students have been spreading awareness all over social media. And now, the rising internet trend has reached administrators as well.

Last Tuesday, flyers were posted throughout the building to promote Assistant Head of School Ryan Allen’s participation at the end of the school day. While simple in design, the posters piqued the interest of many students; people wanted to know whether or not it was true, and if it was, students wanted to see it.

Shortly after the last period of the day, students crowded around the front of the Upper School building and sure enough, there Mr. Allen was perched on the bottommost step of Latin’s entrance, filled with excitement.

The size of the crowd mirrored the anticipation within it, growing larger and larger with each passing minute until finally, at 3:35 p.m., sophomore Alex Stamos and freshman Arlo Heltzer came out of the Upper School doors toting a five-gallon bucket filled to the brim with ice water.

Mr. Allen nominated a member of the Chicago Bulls, an administrator at Francis W. Parker, and Latin’s Middle School Director Tray White. Then, without hesitation, Alex and Arlo dumped the bucket over Mr. Allen’s head.

The splash of water was drowned out by the eruption of cheers.

Junior Vivian Lee-Yee said, “I thought it was funny, but also a little gimmicky. If we want to raise more awareness about mental health, there’s other things [Latin] could be doing as well.”