Our Hometown
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Losing hair is a win for Interact Club Newark High School senior Willie Clark appeared nervous April 9 as he looked into the expansive mirror in Kara Rusco's cosmetology classroom. Not only did he see himself, but some of his peers and some district staff in the background and on either side peering back at him. Many of them held cameras and their cell phones, ready to take pictures the moment he began having his shoulder-length hair cut. He promised to do this if $1000 or more were pledged to the NHS Interact Club, so it could purchase a second ShelterBox filled with provisions to provide relief to disaster victims somewhere in the world. When Clark gave the go-ahead, Rusco carefully began removing, with clippers, about 10 inches of the club president's hair that she'd put into a pony tail before cutting. Clark had also promised to donate his sheared locks to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss. While Rusco was cutting Clark's hair, global studies teacher Mike Caywood, who was to be next in line to have his beard removed as part of the $1000 challenge, went over to greet Debbie Clark, Willie's mother, who was videotaping her son's haircutting experience. 'He's an exceptional young man,' Caywood said. After more of his long hair was removed, Rusco began snipping away the remaining hair with her scissors until Clark was sporting stylishly cut, but short hair. While she worked, students and staff made humorous remarks and cheered when his haircut was complete. Caywood, who retired April 10 after 23 years of teaching in Newark, followed Clark in having his long beard and mustache removed and his short hair made even shorter by senior Emilie Bulman, a cosmetology student. 'I hope you all understand you are supposed to have fun in life,' Caywood said as Bulman trimmed. 'And in your job,' Dave Schwind, Interact Club advisor and instrumental music teacher added. 'Amen to that,' Caywood replied. Schwind and Clark came up with the challenge in hopes of getting more students and staff to pledge at least another $1000 to go to the world-renowned Rotary Organization ShelterBox that provides humanitarian aid worldwide in the form of shelter, warmth and comfort to people displaced by natural and other disasters. ShelterBox works directly with local organizations in countries where disasters have occurred, in partnership with other aid agencies and through the international Rotary network. Since 2001, ShelterBox has helped disaster victims on every continent including for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka; earthquake victims in Pakistan and even to Hurricane Katrina victims. After Caywood's trim, it was time for Midlakes High School senior Holly Karge, a cosmetology student, to remove Schwind's mustache. In no time, it was gone and he was all smiles. Then it was time for cosmetology student Tara Camacho to remove the mustache of social studies teacher Jeff Williams. Once done, Williams, who has sported a mustache since 1977, when he was a sophomore in college, posed with Clark, Caywood and Schwind for a photograph. Schwind has worn his mustache since 1978, when he was in college. Caywood, who last shaved his beard about 11 years ago, agreed. Greg Herbst, NHS assistant principal, praised Clark, Caywood, Schwind and Williams for their roles in helping to raise money for ShelterBox. 'These gentlemen care about community service and have great school spirit,' said Herbst. Clark said more than $800 had been raised at a dance to benefit the ShelterBox fundraiser in March and about $1300 had been pledged in this recent challenge. Copyright
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