York students and staff “Brave the Shave”

Ella Lee and Julia Neri|March 24, 2017

“Every two minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer. These are our neighbors, people that were on my daughters softball team. I am closing on $20,000 dollars in Kira Spedales honor. I don’t want that story to keep repeating. The Baltic scholars are pediatric oncologists completely focused on pediatric cancer the money that is raised most important impact is funding treatments that improve the life of survivors in a huge way.” -Co-founder Steven Strauss

On Friday, March 24, students gathered together for an all-school assembly to watch students and faculty have their heads shaved in the name of the St. Baldrick’s foundation, which collects donations that help fund research to end childhood cancer.

This year, York students and faculty came together and raised a grand total of approximately $20,000 that will go towards funding cancer research. However, donations are still coming in, and the link is still open (https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/YorkCommunityHS2017).   

York students and staff show off their crazy socks for the spirit week.

Mr. Joseph O’Malley, a Spanish teacher at York, came up with the idea to have a St. Baldrick’s event at school, as well as a spirit week leading up to the final pep rally on the Friday before spring break.

“I chose to bring this event to York because cancer is something that negatively affects everyone at some point,” said O’Malley. “It has affected members of my family and friends, and I have always participated in different projects to raise money for cancer research, one of those organizations being St. Baldrick’s.”

Throughout the week leading up to the event, students and staff took part in spirit days, wearing pajamas as to school, showing off their craziest socks, dressing up in Hawaiian apparel, donning their favorite sports jersey, and of course, showing their Duke pride by wearing green.

“I think the spirit week was great,” said junior Abbie Lockie. “It got people excited for an event we’ve never really done before.”

Chip Egan, campus supervisor, is overwhelmed by the amount of support from students and staff.

“I think it’s wonderful; it’s great when young kids are able to get involved,” said Egan. “They see a good cause, something that may be something that touched their lives too, and it can be really touching. You don’t know if they had something happen within their family, friends, maybe–something that they might be looking back to.”

Egan hopes that the St. Baldrick’s assembly can become an annual event, much like Relay for Life and the Light the Night walk. He looks forward to helping organize another event next year.

“I think it’s going to be something that’ll be here for a while.” said Egan.

A huge component of the St. Baldrick’s organization is that the participants get their heads shaved after collecting their donations. Students Chris McCoy, Glory Jacquat, Carter Strauss, Jason Butterfield, Dylan G, David Avello, and Charles C., as well as Mr. Ryan Doherty, Mr. Steven Strauss, Det. Dan Corrigan, Mr. Drew McGuire, Mr. Joseph O’Malley, Mr. Michael DiNovo and Mr. Dustin Felix had their heads shaved during the St. Baldrick’s pep rally at York.

Doherty felt that it was his duty to show his support for those fighting cancer and lead by example for students here at York. A personal experience helped him make the decision to shave his head in assistance to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

“Two years ago, a friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed to have surgery,” said Doherty. “I didn’t know how I could help, so I decided to invite her over to my house to cut off my hair.  We sat in my kitchen and talked for about an hour as my hair was cut off, and I donated it in her name.”

Senior Chris McCoy had a similar outlook on the whole thing, feeling that as students, our job is to acknowledge and recognize everyone involved in the fight to end cancer.

“I think that this head shaving thing is just a reminder to those who may feel alone through their individual battle,” said senior Chris McCoy. “Some people don’t have cancer around or in their lives. That’s great, but for those who do, this St. Baldrick’s event is really special. It lets the ones with cancer know that they’re not alone. We notice them and their battle. We recognize the strength they have to stand up for cancer. We recognize their family being there every step of the way for their loved one. We recognize the doctors working long hours to fight this horrible disease.”

For the Friday before spring break, the pep rally had a good turnout. Students in attendance agreed it was a worthwhile event and a great way to begin the break. Sophomores Jessica Debrotka and Emily McNicholas believe the event is an awesome event for a good cause.

“It’s a great way to bring students and teachers together to do something good,” they agreed.

At the pep rally, participating students and teachers alike were nervous to brave the shave. But once the hair was gone, all participants agreed they felt cooler on the outside and proud on the inside.

“Cancer is a universal battle, no matter religion, race, culture–anything,” said McCoy. “We have to be willing to pick each other up in any way we can, and if that means giving up my hair so someone knows they’re in our hearts, then it’s 100% worth it. I feel like a peacock without feathers. I’m still flauntin’ it though.”