At a schoolwide assembly Wednesday, Dec. 3, Scotia-Glenville middle schoolers saw Assistant Principal Frank Rosselli get a buzz cut as an example of how a simple haircut can make a big difference in a person’s life.
Later that day, 20 students made a trip to Envy Salon on Freeman’s Bridge Road to have their tresses trimmed and donated to the Locks of Love program, which uses the hair to make wigs for alopecia patients and those undergoing cancer treatment.
Rosselli’s very public haircut was the result of a contest in which students requested seeing him go under the clippers. Sixth-grade teacher Becki Ayers also had her hair cut by a student and a school staffer.
The 20 students, who were part of a hair donation club at school, donated more than 370 inches of hair. The hair was sent to the Locks of Love program, and some was also donated to Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths program.
Students in the hair donation club at the school not only grow their hair out to donate, they also raise money to give to the cause.
The donation event was coordinated by middle school teacher Sarah Cardinali, who said the student’s enthusiasm for the project was more than she had anticipated.
`This has been a really good group of students and staff who are excited to donate to a good cause,` said Cardinali.
Middle schooler Kayleigh Denney said she was thinking of getting her hair cut, and when she heard about the program, she jumped at the chance of having such a positive impact.
`I felt it would be a good thing to donate my hair, and I wanted to get my hair cut,` said Denney.
Cardinali said she has taken part in the program before and thought this time around she would present the opportunity to her students. She said it is a lesson in caring and giving back to those who need a break. She said that any woman knows that sometimes feeling good about yourself can help boost your self-esteem, especially when you are facing hair loss to chemotherapy.
`It can be a very heartfelt and emotional experience,` said Cardinali.
The students raised money through various community sponsors to help offset the cost for T-shirts and haircuts. Cardinali said that they would not have been able to hold the program without the help of sponsors Bellamy and Sons Construction, The Crack Team Concrete Repair Specialists, Glenda Lewis of Coldwell Banker, Envy Salon, Super Suds Laundromat and Swain Sealcoating.
High-quality wigs can cost close to $1,200, and Cardinali said these types of programs make wigs more accessible to women who have other financial burdens when battling cancer.
`It’s a simple way to make a big difference,` said Cardinali.
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