GRISWOLD, Conn. (WFSB) – A video of Griswold Middle School staff attempting the viral Whitney Houston Challenge has reached 6.7 million views on Instagram.
The Whitney Houston Challenge involves people trying to hit one of the drum beats in the iconic song “I Will Always Love You.”
The challenge has taken social media by storm, with actors, celebrities and locals attempting the difficult timing test.
The Griswold Middle School video was filmed during the school’s Red Ribbon Rally, which focuses on discussing the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
The video shows several failed attempts by school staff and the school mascot, Gris.
A teacher and a local police officer also tried and failed to hit the beat correctly.
Health teacher Kristen Butremovic, who helped organize the rally, said she was inspired by other schools’ videos on TikTok.
“I was on TikTok and I was inspired by other schools that had done something like it and I put it out to our staff and quickly I had five or six teachers sign up for it,” Butremovic said.
Butremovic also participated in the challenge but failed to hit the beat.
Fifth grade math teacher Erin Shea was the last to attempt the challenge during the rally.
After watching everyone before her fail, she successfully completed it.
“My hearts beating super fast, super super fast,” Shea said before her attempt.
Shea said she had developed a strategy after watching the previous attempts.
“I was starting to see that it might have been five beats,” she said.
The video is one of the most popular versions of the trending social media phenomenon.
The unexpected viral success has been overwhelming for the school community.
“It’s just been crazy,” Butremovic said. “It’s just crazy to think that our school, Griswold Middle School in Eastern Connecticut, has blown up.”
Shea said the viral fame has had an unexpected benefit with her students.
“I think I’ve gained a lot of street cred from my students,” she said.
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