Aliso Viejo Students Get Haircuts for a Cause

By CLAUDIA KOERNER / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ALISO VIEJO – After watching 15 students and teachers cut their hair for cancer patients, classmates cheered, offered high fives and vowed to grow out their locks for next year.

St. Mary's School tripled the amount of hair donated this year at its cancer awareness assembly to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which works with the American Cancer Society to provide wigs to women who lose their hair in cancer treatment. The elementary and middle-school students at the private school have embraced cancer awareness since last year.

Natalie Matteson, a sixth grader at St. Mary's School, holds the hair she will be donating to make wigs for cancer patients.

"It's something our students are thinking of as they go into our year," Dean of Students Jim Cox said, adding he was surprised by how quickly the tradition had grown. Volleyball and football players began wearing pink in their uniforms last October, as athletes around the country showed support for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. St. Mary's broadened that to all types of cancer awareness, adding the opportunity for students to donate their hair, giving money for cancer research and promoting sun protection.
"You guys did reach your goal of creating an awareness," Cox said as he recognized student athletes.

On Friday, students put aside their uniforms in favor of pink clothing, hats and sunglasses. After a presentation on how to prevent skin cancer, the haircuts began. Stylists from Park Salon in Laguna Niguel chopped off the eight-inch ponytails to donate. The salon also donated follow-up appointments to style the girls' hair.

Sixth-grade student Natalie Matteson has always had long hair. "I was nervous for the whole entire week," she said. She knew if she didn't donate, though, she'd regret it. "If you have something you can give, you might as well give it," she said. Elena Gillespie, also a sixth grader, said she initially wasn't sure if she wanted to donate her hair. Afterward, she was glad she had. "It's a good way to show you care for people who are sick," she said.
Cox said he was proud of the students' commitment to helping others. He encouraged other students to look for ways they could help their community.
"No matter how old you guys are, you can make a difference," he said.

Contact the writer: ckoerner@ocregister.com or 949-454-7309

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