'Hot Ones' event raises money for teen mental health 

Link Crew brought the heat to David Douglas staff members… for a good cause of course. 

The “Hot Ones” event hosted by VanVickle’s Link Crew, was held Dec. 14. Students and staff gathered at the North Cafeteria during both lunches to watch faculty members eat six rounds of hot wings, which got hotter and more unbearable by each round. 

Students were encouraged to donate money to their teacher of choice to increase the heat of their wings. All of the money donated by David Douglas students goes directly towards youth mental health support. This was all made possible thanks to Link Crew’s partnership with a project called Communicare Oregon. The more cash, the higher the heat. 

“I tried one of the sauces and it felt like a bee sting in your mouth. That’s the only way I can describe it.” said senior Link Crew member Alina Mello.

      The staff who participated in the event during early lunch were Ellayna Morris, Steven Andreen, Michael Teague, and Annmarie Montoya Mira. During the late lunch portion were Dylan Souders, Scott Johnson, Eugene Lee, Brennan East, Tracy Apple, Randy Navarro, and Misty V’Marie. 

The staff members were asked a series of random interview questions throughout the challenge as they gave their best attempts at eating the hot wings. 

The challenge began with classic wings, with an 1,800 Scoville rating. The staff generally did fine through this round. During the round they were asked simple “this or that” questions. By just the third round, the staff were faced with “The Cosmic Disco,” whose Scoville rating was 103,000. As the rounds progressed the heat grew, for the questions became harder to answer, and even more personal. At this point, several staff members were sweating and struggling to finish their wings. By just the fifth round, the Scoville rating had jumped up to two million with the “The Last Dab” sauce. 

Just when they thought it was finally over, the teachers and the students were both surprised with a sixth round. This round featured a sauce called “Da Bomb,” and also had a Scoville rating of two million. A lot of the staff described the taste as terribly bitter and unpleasant.

“Tastes like medicine,” said Navarro after tasting the final sauce.

Although some were out of breath and teary-eyed, all of the participating staff made it to the end of the challenge and put on a good show for a good cause. Those gathered around for the event left the cafeteria both entertained, and knowing their teachers a little better.