Loud music, the smell of popcorn, and newly bald students and faculty filled Spirito Hall to raise money for cancer research through St. Baldricks. Over 130 students, teachers, and members of the community traded in their luscious locks to raise $35,000 for this organization.

The shaving event took place on Monday March 15 between 12:00-4:00 and the hair dressers, volunteers from A Secret Place salon, were kept busy by the continuous stream of eager “shavees.”Others in attendance was Bo Jaxon from B95.1 who kept everyone entertained throughout. He received a pre-shave massage by the owner of A Secret Place salon.

Foothill Alumni Stephanie Bower brought an emotional touch to the event. A cancer survivor and St. Baldrick’s supporter, Bower made it a little easier for all those about to shave their heads.

“Bald is beautiful,” she announced and after getting her head shaved proved it was true.

Foothill’s staff come through in full force, all together 10 teachers and administrators said goodbye to their hair, raising money and inspiring students to do the same. Among the participants in St. Baldricks were Justin Frazier, Jason Dinkler, Josh Dinkler, Ryan Duston, Anthony Villa, Chris Prewitt, Joe Bova, Rick Villano, Melanie ‘Captain’ Lindsey, and Steven Perfect.

Perfect agreed to shave his head if, in total, $10,000 was raised for St. Baldricks. Under the leadership of Captain Lindsey and the efforts of four Foothill Seniors, Taylor Freeman, Ashley Pitassi, Kelsey Young, and Katie Furlong this goal was far surpassed.

“We only had a month to go and we had only raised $5,000 but after going on the radio we reached our goal and we were shocked. Then we kept raising our goal from $10,000 to $15,000 to $20,000 it just kept going up,” Pitassi commented.

Seeing Perfect shave his head was a much anticipated event here at Foothill. Perfect hadn’t cut his hair in twelve years and students and Perfect’s family watched as his hair was put into pony tails and quickly snipped away.

Students also watched as Captain Lindsey had her head shaved. She was smiling throughout until she saw her daughter’s face who “was sad to see her mom without hair.”

“She will soon realize I’m the same person without it.”

Despite her daughter’s feelings, Captain explained getting her head shaved as a very exciting and exhilarating experience.

Besides the main attraction, the St. Baldrick’s event was filled with fun for everyone. There were kid-friendly activities throughout including face painting by Foothill art students, free cotton candy and popcorn, as well as coloring worksheets and word searches. The St. Baldrick’s team also prepared a raffle where Mr. Villano was the lucky winner of an Aloha Steak House gift certificate.

There was also a silent auction in order to raise even more money for the event.

There was a slight hiccup in the event when the fire alarm was unexpectedly triggered by the popcorn machine. However everyone was put at ease after Jaxon informed the crowd that the shaving could continue. Other than that, the event went flawlessly and everyone worked together to make it a success.

“I think this is the first of what will be an annual event here at Foothill,” announced Jaxon from B95.1.

However Captain expressed a slightly different intent.

“It was an organizational nightmare. Four students and I did this by ourselves and although it was a success it was also very difficult.”

Captain said she wants to continue St.Baldrick’s at Foothill but said she would have to have a committee of people all working on it just to ease the stress. She said she wants to have a St. Baldrick’s event every four years so that way every student would be able experience it once.

All those who shaved their heads and all those who attended and donated money made St. Baldrick’s possible. Those who did lose their hair had different experiences and reactions but it was all for a great cause.

“It was liberating,” said Bryan Lairmore, a senior at Foothill.

“It was like being reborn and I am glad I got to be a part of such a worthwhile event.”

Photo: Steven Perfect (now affectionately known as “Señor Calvo”) shaves his head in support of pediatric cancer research. Photo by Danika Kulczycki, The Foothill Dragon Press.