Last week, our school celebrated the Locks of Love Kickoff Event on Thursday during lunches. Students of all grades were encouraged to donate up to 10 inches of their hair. Every inch is used to make hair prosthetics for children suffering hair loss as a result of medical conditions, like cancer and alopecia. The event was a key element of our Ollafest week celebrations. It was facilitated by Mrs. Figueras-Vivolo, student council, and Care Club.
In the month of October, a prominent time for cancer awareness, this event has become a staple every year. The mission of the organization is to utilize donated ponytails to make wigs for underprivileged children, completely free, regardless of the cause of hair loss. All classes can participate, and an added bonus of donating is spirit points awarded depending on the amount of hair. This incentivizes students to get up on stage and chop off 6-10 inches. Professional hairdressers visited our cafeteria to facilitate the cutting process.
“It was difficult to part with my hair, since I haven’t cut it since freshman year,” senior Emily Dominguez said. “This was 4 years in the making, so I thought, since it’s for a good cause, why not?”
This year, the senior class came in second place, with 22 ponytails cut in total. The freshman class won, with 23 ponytails cut and the most spirit points awarded. The sophomores came in third, with 18 ponytails. And, lastly, the juniors with 9. Overall, a total of 65 people cut their hair, with more than 400 inches cut, setting a school record for the most ever donated in the 5 years this event has taken place at our school.
“The whole event is a great example of sisterhood,” said Care Club President Julianna Sequera. “I love seeing people show up and come together to raise awareness for this because it shows how much we care as a community.”
This sisterhood extends not only across all classes, but even beyond our school. It represents our dedication to service and how we can live that out, especially this month, for a cause that means so much to so many. Many students are personally affected by cancer, or inspired by the example of girls older than them, while others simply felt called to serve. Either way, one thing is certain– each girl who donated made a difference.
“I hope that at least one girl somewhere out there can feel more confident in who she is and that’s really my goal,” sophomore Ale Gonzalez said.
The kickoff event proved to be a major success. And while the live cutting event has ended, the donations run until October 24th. Students are able to drop off their ponytails to the main office for donation.
