Saint Baldrick’s Foundation is getting some help from local Venturans to try to put an end to Pediatric cancer. Taylor Freeman, Ashley Pitassi, Kelsey Young, Katie Furlong and teacher Melanie Lindsey (often referred to as “Captain Lindsey” on campus) joined forces to put together an event for fundraising and promoting awareness of the harrowing disease. This is the students’ “Senior H.E.R.O Project” at Foothill.

The event is on March 15, and it will include face-painting, food sales and a silent auction as well as the entertainment, students and teachers shaving their heads. St. Baldrick’s primary source of funding comes from events similar to this, and the students have raised $18,000 so far.

“Our initial goal was ten grand, and we were below five thousand for a few months, but in the last month we have raised about fifteen thousand dollars,” said senior Ashley Pitassi.

This increase may have been influenced by the group appearing on the radio on March 2, on Bo Jackson’s B95.1 show. After the show, Jackson committed to shave his head as well.

People who are committed to shaving their heads include but are not limited to: students Katelynn Mitrano, Autumn Tucker and “Mo” Ashley, teachers Jason Dinkler, Josh Dinkler, Anthony Villa, Chris Prewitt, Steven Perfect and Melanie Lindsey. The Sheriff’s Department is sending over twelve officers, and there are around seventy people total set to shave their heads.

Teacher Steven Perfect is getting rid of his particularly long locks.

“The last time I shaved my head was twelve years ago, and I have had a pony-tail for nine. In November of last year Taylor Freeman asked me if I wanted to shave my head, and I told her I would do it if they earned $10K. It was a challenge,” said Perfect.

When asked how he felt about losing his hair, Perfect responded, “Change is good. I’ll enjoy shorter showers, it is better for the environment.”

Lindsey, who is in charge of Foothill’s “Senior H.E.R.O. Project” decided to take on a project of her own.

“My goal was to honor students that have had cancer. Last year, Stephanie Bower was a senior student at Foothill, and she was my personal inspiration for this project. I have had five students that were cancer survivors and I wanted to shed light on this serious issue,” stated Lindsey.

Photo: Students Taylor Freeman and Kelsey Young stand in front of their fundraiser money-ometer. Photo by Bryan Hickman, The Foothill Dragon Press.