A sacrifice as simple as hair has much more impact than one would expect, which makes St. Baldrick’s Day one of the most powerful events that Notre Dame Academy holds each year.

It resonates with anyone whose life has been impacted by cancer in some way, which is the majority of the student body and faculty.

Every year, brave students and other members of the NDA community stand up and get their heads shaved in front of hundreds after weeks of gathering donations towards cancer research. Shaving their heads give them a small taste of what it’s like to struggle with the disease and shows how hard it truly is.

Senior Isabelle VanDenMeerendonk, who had her head shaved as a sophomore during St. Baldrick’s, raised $1400 and donated 12+ inches of hair for wigs for kids.  

Inspired by two cousins who had undergone treatment and lost their hair, Isabelle said, “Overall, the shaving was an amazing experience, life changing.  It helped build confidence and was something I will never forget.”

Although there’s still plenty of time before the event is held on March 10, Ms. Holly Strong urges people to get involved.

“We have one teacher, Mr. Weiss, already and four students so far,” Strong shared. “We are hoping some girls will come forward soon!”

The ceremony consists of a prayer, a speaker and finally the head-shaving event.

“St. Baldrick’s is a day where we get the chance to show our support for people in our community who are affected by cancer,” Strong explained.

The event has a new theme and speaker every year, and 2017’s has yet to be determined.

“The speakers have been very inspiring in the past when they get a chance to share their stories.” Last year’s speaker was senior Katie Gapinski.

Strong thanks anybody considering being a part of the event.

“All shavees I have worked with in the past enjoyed it and said it was a life changing experience,” she said.

It was Strong who incorporated No-Shave March into the Sting Cancer campaign for March.  Male students who turn in a signed permission form and $10 by Monday, February 20, will be free from dress code restrictions on shaving for the month of March.