From celebrities to students, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has exploded in popular media.

As more people took on the challenge, more attention and record funding has gone to finding a cure for ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“It brings awareness of the disease,”  senior Nate Ramaley said. “The ALS Foundation has raised millions of dollars, so people must know where the money is going.”

What makes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge so daring is the not just the fact that the nominated person has to do the challenge within 24 hours, but the fact that they have to have a freezing bucket of ice water dumped on their heads.

“It was shocking,” Ramaley said. “I was like, ‘Ahhh.’ I was nervous.”

The Challenge owes much of its popularity to celebrities, who chilled out for the cause, including Usain Bolt, Cristiano Ronaldo and Charlie Sheen. On YouTube, there are hundreds of videos of celebrities taking on the challenge.

While the challenge has gained worldwide recognition, local ice supplies have also been depleted.

After moving to LHS this year from Lee’s Summit West, sophomore  Avery German-Martinez took on the challenge with his new classmates.

“I feel like it’s a great idea and at least it’s not in the winter — ha,” he said. “But I don’t see any reason to not want to be nominated. I found it quite enjoyable.”

When asked if the challenge is effective in creating awareness for ALS, German Martinez commented on how celebrities have made an impact on making it so popular.

“ I would say so because of all the celebrities that I have seen donating and taking part in it. Plus it’s become a worldwide thing so of course I’m sure it has been effective.”

No one knows how long the Ice Bucket Challenge will remain in pop culture, though ALS will remain pertinent in society until a cure is found. But like most things popular these days, the challenge will evaporate once the ice has dried.

“It’ll blow over soon I think.” senior Sam Stephens said. “Usually things blow over pretty fast nowadays.”