Blue Hills Regional students and teachers participate in "Cuts for a Cure" cancer fundraiser and awareness event

by Judy Bass

On Friday, October 25, the Cosmetology program at Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton was bustling with an unusual level of activity.  Throughout the day, every client chair in the salon-style classroom was occupied with students or teachers waiting for Cosmetology students to either shave their head (boys) or tie their tresses back in a ponytail (girls), which would then be lopped off by several precious inches.

These customers weren’t there to make a fashion statement by opting for dramatic new coifs.  They were actually participating in “Cuts for a Cure,” an exciting event designed to raise money and awareness about cancer. 

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and orchestrated at Blue Hills by the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, “Cuts for a Cure” truly brought to the fore the generosity and altruism of these young people, approximately 80 strong in all, along with some of their teachers and administrators.

Every half-hour that day, 10 males and females came to the Cosmetology program, several of whom were wearing articles of pink clothing to symbolize their support for people dealing with cancer.  Greeting them at the entrance in a pink dress, logging them in, and providing pink lapel ribbons for $5 each to anyone who wanted to purchase one (all proceeds benefited the ACS; approximately $2,000 was raised) was junior Bridget Kelley, an Engineering Technology student from Avon who first suggested that Blue Hills hold a “Cuts for a Cure” event.

Soft-spoken and poised, Kelley was thrilled with the outpouring of enthusiasm for this project from her peers and teachers.  “It is amazing,” she said, “how many people have reached out for this.  We’re all coming together as a community to show our support for [cancer] victims and their families.”

As the soft whirring of electric razors filled the air, a few of the students waiting for their hair to be shorn commented on why they participated in “Cuts for a Cure.”

Many lauded the worthy cause.  “I just wanted to help people out,” said senior Jacob Cabral of Randolph as much of his hair fell to the floor, thanks to the ministrations of Cosmetology student Breanna Landry. 

Another senior from Randolph, Elizabeth Gitau, a Cosmetology student giving haircuts, agreed with the philanthropic viewpoint, adding that, for those joining in who might miss their long locks later on, “Hair is hair, so it always grows back.”

Senior Sean O’ Donnell of Canton, who is studying Metal Fabrication, warmed to the edgy new look he was now sporting, noting that it’s “a great haircut.”

The most high-profile clipping was the one performed on Blue Hills Dean of Students Thomas Cavanaugh.

He had his head shaved in the gymnasium by Cosmetology student Julie McNeil of Holbrook in front of dozens of raptly-watching students perched on the bleachers, each of whom paid $5 for the privilege of being spectators (again, all the money collected went to the ACS.).

After his hair was reduced to a mere quarter-inch long, Cavanaugh good-naturedly joked that he had not worn it that short since fifth grade.

Hair to make wigs for cancer patients who are coping with hair loss from their treatment was also collected from Blue Hills’ women who offered to have their flowing tresses cut.  Twenty ponytails of various colors and textures made from their hair were laid out on a counter, a remarkable harvest of love and compassion.

The school’s faculty advisor for its National Honor Society chapter, Rebecca Ray, summed up the day’s theme best: “Deep down inside, Blue Hills has a very unique set of students.  They are so willing to give of themselves and show their support.  This is just who they are.”