Grade 6 students Jaxon Richards, left, and Keeghan Wellon (left photo), and Grade 10 students Cody Ryan, left, and Cole Kelly raised a combined $1,800 last week with a Shave for the Brave at Mobile Central High School.
By Mark Squibb
Mobile Central High School (MCHS) hosted its 15th annual Shave for the Brave last week.
“I think cancer is something that everybody has been impacted by,” said organizer and teacher Charlene Power. “And I think there’s a novelty to shaving your head.”
The event was organized by the MCHS student council with support from Mal Parrot of Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC). Novalee Colbert of A Cut Above Hair Salon in Witless Bay volunteered her time and talent and tools to shear the students.
The schools four participants, Keeghan Wellon and Jaxon Richards of Grade 6 and Cole Kelly and Cody Ryan of Grade 10, raised over $1,800 between the four of them.
"When I heard Shave for the Brave was going on at my school, I knew right away I had to participate,” said Richards. “My mom's best friend just finished chemo and I wanted to support her through her journey battling cancer."
Ryan said he participated in honour of those who fought and continue to fight the disease.
“I did Shave for the Brave for my pop who passed from cancer two years ago, and for my other family members who have died and who have survived cancer,” said Ryan.
Kelly said he took part to bring hope to others and to inspire others to become part of a wonderful cause. Likewise, Wellon said he wanted to participate to raise money to help those battling the disease.
School staff, meanwhile, believe MCHS has hosted more consecutive Shave for the Brave events than any other school in the province.
Even the pandemic did not waylay students, who raised funds virtually and shaved in their living rooms.
Power added that students at the school are eager to raise money for a number of worthy community causes. She also recognised the work of the twenty-some-odd members of the school’s student council ahead of the function.
“The student council did a lot of work, decorating for and promoting the event,” said Power. “They really amped it up and promoted it ahead of time.”
Student council members, said Power, are typically called upon to give school events that little bit of extra pizzazz.
