(Publisher’s note: Be sure to check out the photo gallery by Crystal Hayduk at the end of this story.)
By Crystal Hayduk
Students at Chelsea High School received some hairy entertainment during their lunch break on Nov. 20 when Gary Reed of Reed Barbering on Main Street set up shop in the cafeteria.
Watching teachers in the barber’s chair was the reward for involvement in “Movember,” (a combination of the words mustache and November) an annual event to raise funds for men’s health. In the effort led by counselor Jason Murphy, eight teachers committed to stop shaving facial hair on Nov. 1.
To raise funds, the student council facilitated an election for mustache styles. For the donation of a quarter per ballot, staff and students could cast their votes on how Reed should shave each participant. Ten pre-selected mustache styles were on the ballot, as well as a blank space to draw a unique style, and a choice to “shave that sucker [off].”
The public facial hair removal proved to be a popular event with both students and staff. According to Murphy, the day before trimester final exams was perfect for shaving.
“Everyone needs a little levity at this point in the term,” he said.
Gretchen Kuras, a student who sat directly opposite the makeshift barber shop, said, “It adds something exciting to lunch.”
“This is the weirdest lunch experience I’ve ever had,” said art teacher Laura Naar. “Eating Cheez-its while watching someone get shaved,” she said, laughing.
Parapro Patti Mitchell said, “We look forward to seeing the wooly mammoths every year.”
As teacher Saundra Dunn pulled out her camera and a donation for bearded parapro Gary Galvin to become a late-entry participant, she said that adding the ballots increased student involvement this year.
Student Payton Doan agreed. “It’s cool that they’re volunteering to do this for a good cause,” she said.
Local barber Gary Reed volunteered his services for the event. “It seems like I know about three-quarters of the kids and teachers through years of cutting their hair,” said Reed. “These are great people doing this for a good cause, and I’m happy to be involved. I’m really thankful that they allowed me to do this. It’s fun to be right here in their workplace.”
Students and staff raised $161 by purchasing votes. Anyone can still contribute through the Chelsea Bulldogs team page here.
According to https://movember.com, the Movember Foundation had a humble start of 30 participants in Australia in 2003. Since then, it has grown to a world-wide effort with five million participants. It has raised about $650 million for men’s health, with an emphasis on prostate and testicular cancer, poor mental health, and physical inactivity.
