RHS Students Team Up to Fight Children’s Cancer

It takes a lot of nerve to get your head shaved—especially in front of a crowd of people. But 60 students and staff members have signed up to do just that as part of the school’s second St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser.

The 100-member “We Baldin” team is hoping to raise $10,000 to support the foundation’s efforts to eradicate childhood cancers. While some are asking for donations in exchange for shaving their heads, others are coordinating fundraisers aimed at beating last year’s total of more than $8,000 raised for St. Baldrick’s.

On March 18—a day after St. Patrick’s Day—the “shavees” will make good on their promise by getting their heads shaved during an all-school assembly, complete with a live DJ and performances by the RHS drum line, pom squad and cheerleaders.

School Resource Officer Kelley Henson said she didn’t expect students to take up the cause the way they have.

“Last year was our first year,” she said. “We had 60 (team) members and we raised $8,600. I didn’t expect the participation we got.”

Senior Vicky Arriola said she saw the team as a way to reach out to kids with cancer.

“It brought the school together,” she said.

Classmate Monika Lupo agreed.

“I just think it’s for a really great cause,” she said. “We just want to find a cure.”

This year, the “We Baldin” team is working harder than ever to make that happen.

In addition to asking friends and family for donations, team members have been selling green beads and bracelets to help raise money for St. Baldrick's. The team is also hosting its second “Peg a Cop” dodgeball fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. March 16. Each team will pay $10 to face off against local police officers.

Last year’s dodgeball game was a hit, Arriola said, adding she expects similar success this year.

“It was really cool,” she said. “People got really into it.”

Henson said each "We Baldin" team member is being asked to raise at least $75.

“To motivate people to donate, the kids get creative,” she said. The teens have been selling suckers and homemade hair bows to generate more donations.

While no girls have signed on to shave their heads this year, two teens are asking for donations in exchange for donating 10 inches of their hair to Locks of Love, Henson said.

“The kids are very, very enthusiastic about it, and their enthusiasm is so infectious,” Henson said. “I’m so proud of these kids.”

“Our goal is to at least beat (what we raised) last year,” Lupo said.

To donate to the RHS’s “We Baldin” team, visit the team page and click “Make a donation.”

Donations can also be made by calling the St. Baldrick’s hotline at 888-899-BALD (2253).