July 1, 2008

Shear love

Students, parents, teachers grow and cut hair for others

By Carol Rosen
Editor

There was trepidation in the faces of the students lined up at Ida Price Middle School. Mostly young girls, although some mothers, teachers and even a couple of fathers were among the more than 19 who had signed up to cut off from eight to 20 inches of their hair for Locks of Love.

Angel Ayala has a new hairstyle. She said she misses her long hair, but likes her new style.

Many of those participating had been growing their hair for years, others had just started in September, but all were ready and willing to give their locks to help those suffering from alopecia or from chemotherapy to have wigs so they can look like everyone else.

This is the second year, Price Middle School has taken up the cause and it’s certainly grown. Last year, only a couple of students participated. This year there were 13 students and eight adults. The adults were comprised of teachers, parents, librarians and community members.

A couple of teachers, one from Price and the other from Bagby Elementary were there along with their daughters, one of whom attends Price and the other Bagby. Teachers from other schools also had their hair cut along with a couple of fathers.

Once their hair was cut on closed circuit television, each moved on to a large room near the auditorium, where students from Academy Salon Professionals were waiting to trim and style their new hairdos. The Academy students were donating their time and work as community service. There were 15 students working on the group and they had their work cut out for them.

The process began last September, when the school’s activity director Eileen Beckley announced the program. The Times followed one of the girls through the process.

Angel Ayala, a sixth grader, noted that she has been growing her hair for two to three years and thought it would be a good idea to donate her hair. Prior to cutting, her mid-back length was braided and then just sort of cut at the top of the braid, leaving her with a somewhat unstylish “bob.”

Above: Sherry Marinovich first wet and then started trimming and styling Angel Ayala’s new hairstyle. Marinovich was one of 15 student stylists donating time and talent to Price Middle School for Locks of Love. Below: Denise Schlaman, a language arts teacher at Price Middle School, donated 10 inches of her hair. Marinovich and Schlaman discuss how to style her new shorter hair.

“I decided to do this back in September because I had a lot of hair and I wanted to get it cut. But I also wanted it to be useful,” explained Angel.

She next went to the room with the stylists, and after a short wait sat down in student Sherry Marinovich’s chair. Marinovich has been studying hair styling since January. This is her second career; she used to be a personal trainer. She has two kids, one in college and the other in high school.

Marinovich took her time styling Angel’s thick hair. She first wet and trimmed it and then it started looking more and more stylish. While it seemed to take quite a while, at least 30 minutes, when she finished Angel’s hair was right out of a stylebook and looked great.

Meanwhile all around the room, others were having their hair trimmed and styled. Some still had shoulder length hair, but other stylists created shorter “do’s.” All looked fabulous as they entered the auditorium to show off their new styles to lots of clapping, whistling and a general appreciation for their sacrifice from their teachers and classmates.