Why were things getting hairy in the Warren Hills hallways in the fall?

During the month of November, Warren Hills Regional High School staff members, primarily men, participated in an event called No-Shave November (NSN).

No-Shave November is an organization that helps increase awareness about cancer and raise money for cancer research and treatments.

People participating in No-Shave November quit shaving for the whole month, with the money saved on grooming and shaving (buying razors, shaving creams, barber visits, etc.) donated to No- Shave November, an organization devoted to fighting cancer.

“I have had a beard for many years. I support No-Shave November, so it has been easy for me not to shave – shaving is the hard part for me.” said English Teacher Kevin Horn. 

When asked how he feels about the challenge, Horn said, “Anything that raises our awareness of cancer is important.”

He says at first his wife did not like his beard, claiming she did not marry a man with a beard. Over the course of the years, however, she has become accustomed to his beard, eventually disregarding any negative feelings about it.

Contrary to popular belief, one does not have to be male to participate in No-Shave November, as the goal of the organization is to spread awareness of cancer and raise money for research and treatments. Anyone can join.

While No-Shave November originally started with temporarily withholding shaving beards, it has now evolved to a much broader community involving women.

Women can participate in No-Shave November in numerous ways: not shaving body hair, not getting haircuts, and spreading awareness of the organization. 

Here is what No-Shave November’s website has to say about getting involved:

“Participate by growing a beard, cultivating a mustache, letting those legs go natural, and skipping that waxing appointment. Put down your razor and set up your own personal No-Shave November fundraising page. If you’re not ready to get hairy, sit back and support someone who is.”

Joseph Bamford, a teacher in the high school’s Special Education Department and the school’s head basketball coach, jumped into No-Shave November and even tried talking other teachers into joining him.

One of those teachers, Carmello Chiara, declined to participate because he already sported a beard, but clean-shaven Journalism and English Teacher Andy Oakley accepted Bamford’s challenge.

“I was a little disappointed that my beard came in so gray,” said Oakley. “I’m already old, and the beard made me look much older. But I was also surprised that so many students acted completely disappointed when I shaved it off.”

Oakley estimated that he spends $25 to $50 a month on barbershop visits and hair-related products, so he donated $50 to the No-Shave November organization in the category of medical research on pediatric brain tumors.

Anyone can participate in No-Shave November, regardless of age, job, or gender. If someone feels they are unable to grow their hair but would still like to help, they may donate money, personally fundraise and donate, or just help spread the word.

To find out more in anticipation of next November, additional information is available at no-shave.org.