Brian Sellers, superintendent of development for the Northwest Special Recreation Association, was decked out in the purple costume of Hoffman Estates High School's mascot, Flash, and exchanged 1,363 high fives and low fives with a long line of students and teachers - setting the new world record for Most 'high-fives' in an hour.
During an outdoor pep rally on Friday, students filed in and each slapped the hand of Brian Selders, superintendent of development for the recreation association, at the gate of the school's football field.
Once they reached the record-breaking high five, they kept going until all students and staff had entered the stadium, reaching a new world record
Students came in and each one gave Selders a high-five. As time went by, Selders started to wince at each slap's impact, his hand turning red.
The previous Guinness World Record for Most 'high-fives' in an hour was 409, set nearly four years ago in Oregon.
Along with the honor of a place among the world's records, the stunt raised awareness of the recreation program and its need for new volunteers, the newspaper said.
Justin Sienkiewicz, communications coordinator for the association, said the group came up with the idea to break the Guinness world record for Most 'high-fives' in an hour as a way to spread the word about the need for volunteers.
'A lot of our programmes rely on volunteers,' he said. 'And a lot of volunteers come from high schools.'
Students at the high school receive class credit for volunteering, the organisers said.
Principal James Britton said he was thrilled to host the world record attempt for Most 'high-fives' in an hour.
"The spirit of Hoffman (students) is being a part of something larger than themselves," he said. |
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Most 'High-Fives' in An Hour