Grayslake Middle School students, staff shave heads to fight childhood cancer
The gymnasium at Grayslake Middle School was turned into a barber shop Friday.
The school hosted its second annual St. Baldrick's even to raise money for childhood cancer research. Five stylists from Legacy Salon Spa in Round Lake Beach were on hand to do the cutting.
Principal Marcus Smith told students that if they have a cause, they shouldn't sit back and hope it gets fixed - they have the power to do something about it.
About 50 students and staff at the school volunteered to have their hair shaved or cut to help with the cause.
"Even if you're 12 or 13, we have the power to do something about it. It's a real-life skill that we really want these kids to understand," Marcus said.
The school also opened its doors to the community from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday to continue the event.
Grayslake Middle School raised about $6,000 in 2014 and organizers said they hoped to raise $15,000 during this year's event.
This year's fundraiser has extra meaning for the community after Park Campus third grade student A.J. Peterson died this year from diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, which is an embedded, inoperable cancerous tumor in the brainstem.
To donate money to the cause go to:
https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/gmsmakeyourmark2015