One of Clark’s seniors, Bianca Lopez, was nominated last week to participate in the ALS ice bucket challenge. “The ice bucket challenge simulates what people with ALS experience,” she said.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. To bring awareness to this disease, the ALS Association has challenged people all around the world to feel icy cold. Those challenged must nominate others to join along on the cause, while dumping a bucket of ice and cold water on themselves within 24 hours of being challenged. To date, the effort has raised $4 million, according to the ALS Association.

The idea was originally established among golfers as a way to support charities. ALS’ real challenge was to either donate $100 or do the ice bucket challenge and pay $10.

Lopez stated that the feeling was not pleasing at all. Her body went numb and she was freezing cold. Nonetheless, she continued to spread awareness and nominated some of her best friends whom she thought would be up for the challenge.

“I think if you can’t donate, accepting the challenge spreads awareness and our generation is capable of bringing attention to anything,” Lopez said.

Alina Sargsian, another senior who was challenged, said she had a fun experience. “It was such a fun and smart way to raise awareness,” she said. “Even with the drought happening, doing the challenge on grass is a convenient way of not wasting the water.”

Sargsian stated that the challenge is a great opportunity to pay it forward. She nominated some of her close friends she knew would not want to do it, not only to raise awareness, but to also find some laughs watching them.

“It’s a win, win situation for everyone,” Sargsian said.