by Bea Peterson
It began with No Shave November and ended March 27. In November a few teachers and many of the students participated in growing beards as part of a cancer awareness program. Most of the boys shaved their beards off to participate in sports. However, Hoosick Falls Central School math teacher William (Bill) Clairmont, art teacher Robert (Rob) Viera and eighth grade math teacher Damien Bundrick made a pact to keep their beards growing. Viera even let his hair grow. They knew they would shave them off at some point, but they hadn’t determined a cause.
[private]December became Decembeard, followed by Manuary and Februhairy. Viera said the long beards were a lot of work. They required shampooing, conditioning and combing, the three joked. The long beards got caught in neckties and coat collars. The trio finally decided the beards had to come off. They would sell raffle tickets at $1 each, and the winning ticket holders would get to trim the beards.
They made signs saying “shave my beard” and wore them in school one day. HFCS senior Reilly Holebritter suggested they use the funds to promote the Isabel McGuire scholarship. “We loved her. We were willing to do anything for Isabel,” said Clairmont, who has been a HFCS teacher for six years. She was a mentor to Clairmont. Viera, in his second year at HFCS said, “I was the last one she mentored and I lived across the street from her.” Bundrick has been at HFCS for 10 years and had known Isabel the longest. McGuire passed away March 13. She was 48 years old. Holebritter organized the event, tickets and all. “The kids were all excited,” said Viera. “Some of them were calling home asking their parents to bring them money!” Teachers also purchased tickets said Bundrick.
They sold tickets on Wednesday and Thursday and, in the two days, raised $400.
The deed was done after school on Thursday. Each teacher had a bucket in which the students put their names. About 100 students were on hand to see the teachers beards shaved or trimmed with electric shavers. Tenth-graders Ailish Paulin and Nick Perry and eighth-graders Madison Bellemere and Darian Morgan were the lucky winners. The teachers were not so lucky. Clairmont and Viera didn’t look too bad, but Bundrick was a sight to behold! True to their word, they wore their silly beards in school all day Friday. Bundrick said someone told him, I can’t take you seriously looking like that!
Clairmont, who is always bearded, has started growing another one that will be kept nicely trimmed. Bundrick will remain beardless. The three teachers are already considering a beard growing fundraiser for next year. They have even talked another teacher into joining them. They do agree, however, that they will grow the beards for a shorter length of time. They are hoping others will join them, maybe some students as well. “It’s a great scholarship,” said Clairmont. “And it shows the relationship the teachers and students have.”
“It’s the best two days I’ve ever had as a teacher,” Clairmont concluded.
No-Shave November, by the way, is dedicated “to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free.” It’s suggested that non-shavers donate the money they usually spend on shaving and grooming for a month to support education about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle.
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