Don’t shave, donate

During November, both students and teachers can be spotted sporting more facial hair than usual. This trend, however, has a deeper meaning rather than simply being an excuse to stop shaving for a month.

Nicknamed “Movember” and “No-Shave November,” November is the month for people, especially males, to attempt to raise awareness of male health problems, such as prostate and testicular cancer, and also to promote the well-being of men.

Teachers Tim Coleman, Kristian Engle, Mark Greenberg, Michael Spalding, and Seth Cohen have refrained from shaving for the month and held a competition to raise funds for the cause.

“It started up two years ago; we did it [as] a ‘gentlemen’s bet’—no real stakes,” Cohen said. “At the end, we decided to turn it into a fundraiser. ASB worked with us and set up buckets in the amphitheatre with our faces on it… Kids just put money in the buckets for whomever they wanted to win.”

In addition to helping a cause that could change the lives of many, the event also provides a sense of unity and pride.

“I believe as men, and as people, we all have [awesome]burning inside of us,” Greenberg said. “My beard is an outward extension of my inner awesome, and I want to show the world what I have to offer.”

Some male students, such as sophomore Andrew Hong, decided that the movement not only benefited their health but also provided justification for not shaving for a month.

“I did No-Shave November because it saved me time in the morning and I’d have an excuse if people said I had stubble on my chin,” Hong said. “If it raises awareness toward a good cause; I think that’s a win-win situation.”

Sophomore Sabine Hansen, whose brother is participating in the Movember fundraiser, believes that although the situation does not affect females, it is important to show support for the matter.

“The little things add up to become such a big, influential movement,” Hansen said. “I feel like prostate cancer awareness is not as supported as, say, breast cancer awareness, so the rise of this trend is a great opportunity.”

By growing facial hair or supporting those who do, Panthers have united to benefit hundreds of thousands of victims.