Mack Hughes ‘25
#NeverBeenNominated
The task is simple: grab a bucket, fill it with ice water and dump it on yourself, record, and post the video on social media and tag three others to do the same. But for one unfortunate soul, this was not so straightforward.
As I’m sure you are aware, the 2014 ALS Icebucket Challenge has resurfaced on social media. This time, it is to promote awareness and discussion around mental illness with the intention of raising funds for Active Minds, a national youth mental health nonprofit.
Holy Cross student Tom Withers ‘23 was so excited when he was nominated for this challenge by his roommate. The day was hot, so for Withers, the prospect of cooling off with some chilled H2O was exhilarating. He gathered all the necessary tools and headed outside. Withers had just about set up his phone to record when his roommate, the nominating roommate, came home. Only, he was not alone. “Oh you know what, you don’t have to worry about recording, my buddies and I can take care of that for you,” the roommate said with a murderous grin. “Wow, thanks! That would be a big help,” Withers replied.
So then Withers gave his little speech, thanking his roommate for the nomination, encouraging people to educate themselves about mental illness blah blah blah you know the script.
“Ok, now go ahead and lie down,” ordered the roommate.
“Are you sure I don’t dump it on myself standing up?” Withers sheepishly asked.
“Nope.”
Suddenly, Withers’ body was hurdled across the sticky pong table on their front lawn. He had no idea was going on, and before he knew it he was being water boarded with a towel over his face.
“Oh you support mental illness, huh, do ya? Well prove it like a man and survive this!” the men cried at him.
“What *gargle* do *gargle* you *gargle* mean *gargle*?!” Withers gagged back to them. That wasn’t even the worst of it. Next, the boys tied Withers arms behind his back and dunked him upside down into a bucket, like dropping a turkey into a vat of oil for deep frying. In between dunks, Withers managed to get a few words out.
“I *splosh* just *splosh* wanted *splosh* to *splosh* support *splosh* mental *splosh* health *splosh* awareness *splosh* for *splosh* youth”
“And how were you going to do that, by splashing a little puddle over your noggin’? Nah, THIS is how you raise attentions towards a cause.”
Finally, the chaos settled down and Withers caught his breath.
“This is NOT was I was nominated for. To whomever sees this video, do NOT do this challenge! #StaySILENT.” That was the last Ice Bucket Challenge to ever be posted again, and Withers moved out the next day.
Featured image courtesy of Google Images
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