FEATURE

A HAIRY MONTH

ONE-MONTH CHALLENGE THAT HAS EVERYONE HAIRY

Have you ever taken a month out of your year to not shave? A onemonth challenge takes place each year, where anyone who takes part cannot shave their hair for a full month. This challenge is the famous “No Shave November.” The official “No Shave” website states the concept of this challenge is to “grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free.” The one-month journey began in 2009 after the death of Matthew Hill, a patient who struggled with colon cancer throughout November 2007. Last year, about 50 percent of American men put down their razors and tried this new tradition is also inclusive to women and all individuals. Some women stop shaving their armpit and leg hairs throughout the month and donate the money saved on razors and wax. A survey from LendingTree, an online marketplace, found that 24 percent of women are also putting down their razor. “I haven’t heard much about the No Shave November challenge until now,” sophmore Lauren Lonneman said. “I will look into way to donate for Cancer Prevention since it is such a serious cause.” Everyone’s hair is beautiful and should be embraced and that is the message this challenge aims to spread. It allows those with hair to appreciate what they have that others do not. The No Shave organization has a couple of requests, asking participants to begin “growing a beard, cultivating a mustache, letting those legs go natural and skipping that waxing appointment,” and “Put down your razor for 30 days and donate your monthly hair-maintenance expenses to the cause.” “I decided to do No Shave November to allow my beard to grow longer,” junior Owen Gerig said. “I do think beards are pretty cool.”Owen had plenty of hope as well, Gerig said “I believe my beard will grow two inches in one month.” Another student, senior Jacob Jilliani, will try to grow some facial hair in the meanwhile. “I thought about it, and I’ll try” said Jilliani, “I want to try and grow out my mustache this year”. While Gerig and Jilliani will be taking part in the challenge, Senior Joshua Burks said he would not be. “No, I don’t really have the facial hair for that.” said Burks,

“I have like peachfuzz’ so there is really no point also, I do not think a month would really change anything.” To take part or donate, go to https://no-shave.org/participate/ and also tag us @hsenews on Instagram. Story by Kameron

Grays.

- Owen Gerig, 11

- Joshua Burks, 12

- Lauren Lonneman, 10

- Jacob Jilliani, 12