GRISWOLD, Conn. (WFSB) – A video of Griswold Middle School staff attempting the viral Whitney Houston Challenge has reached 6.7 million views on Instagram.<\/p>\n
The Whitney Houston Challenge involves people trying to hit one of the drum beats in the iconic song \u201cI Will Always Love You.\u201d <\/p>\n
The challenge has taken social media by storm, with actors, celebrities and locals attempting the difficult timing test.<\/p>\n
The Griswold Middle School video was filmed during the school\u2019s Red Ribbon Rally, which focuses on discussing the dangers of drugs and alcohol.<\/p>\n
The video shows several failed attempts by school staff and the school mascot, Gris. <\/p>\n
A teacher and a local police officer also tried and failed to hit the beat correctly.<\/p>\n
Health teacher Kristen Butremovic, who helped organize the rally, said she was inspired by other schools\u2019 videos on TikTok.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Butremovic said.<\/p>\n
Butremovic also participated in the challenge but failed to hit the beat.<\/p>\n
Fifth grade math teacher Erin Shea was the last to attempt the challenge during the rally. <\/p>\n
After watching everyone before her fail, she successfully completed it.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy hearts beating super fast, super super fast,\u201d Shea said before her attempt.<\/p>\n
Shea said she had developed a strategy after watching the previous attempts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was starting to see that it might have been five beats,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The video is one of the most popular versions of the trending social media phenomenon.<\/p>\n
The unexpected viral success has been overwhelming for the school community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just been crazy,\u201d Butremovic said. \u201cIt\u2019s just crazy to think that our school, Griswold Middle School in Eastern Connecticut, has blown up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shea said the viral fame has had an unexpected benefit with her students.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019ve gained a lot of street cred from my students,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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