Student 'stylists' cut locks off principal
Girls challenge school to grow hair long
by Ambria Hammel

ANTHEM  – “Gimme a head with hair, long beautiful hair. Shining, gleaming, steaming, flaxen, waxen.” While these lyrics to the ‘70s song, “Hair,” may send some on a trip down memory lane, it also serves as the apparent underlying mission of the women and girls at Gavilan Peak School.

Principal Dr. Mai‑Lon Wong allowed school nurse Kim Haelen and two students to cut ten inches of her hair which will be used to provide hairpieces for children experiencing medical hair loss. The ceremonial act celebrated the success of a school‑wide fundraiser for Haelen–known as Nurse Kim–who has breast cancer. It also marked the kickoff challenge to the girls of Gavilan Peak by two other students to grow out their hair for a donation to Locks of Love at Christmastime.

Before Haelen picked up the scissors, fifth grade teacher Jacqueline D’Ortenzio presented her with a big check for more than $7,500 raised during a two‑hour walk‑a‑thon in April. All three events converged May 11 during the school’s ACE assembly which recognizes student achievement, character and excellence.

“It’s just an effect of love. It’s a work of love and people came pouring out,” said Principal Dr. Mai‑Lon Wong.

Haelen, who hopes to return to work in August, agreed. “I didn’t even know half of these families knew me,” she said of the more than 300 students plus families who participated in the walk‑a‑thon. Haelen walked one lap with her husband and realized the participants also came from Diamond Canyon and Boulder Creek High School to support her.

The nurse was diagnosed with breast cancer December 21 during a routine mammogram. “My girlfriend in Florida had died of it the week before,” she recalled. “And they called me back and asked to see me again.”

Haelen continues to fight the disease through chemotherapy. Meanwhile, the Gavilan Peak family shows its support by providing meals every other night and funds to help with medical expenses. “We wish you a speedy recovery and back here bandaging up all of those boo‑boos real soon,” Assistant Principal Mark Oesterle told Haelen during the assembly.

After the big check ceremony, Wong allowed Haelen to make the first snip of her hair in front of the student body. “Part of the reason I offered to give up my hair was I couldn’t be there that day (for the April walk‑a‑thon),” she explained although the act of charity was nothing foreign.

Wong first donated her to Locks of Love five years ago after learning a friend grew it out for the organization. Thursday’s donation may be among the last for Wong who said she is starting to get some gray hair. Locks of Love separates the gray hair to create realistic wigs for kids.

First grader MeKenna Martin and eighth grader Catherine Herbert made the second and final cuts of the principal’s hair. Martin has alopecia areata, an auto‑immune condition in which she experiences medical hair loss for no known reason. Herbert, who coincidentally donated her hair to the organization last year, was the top fundraiser in the walk‑a‑thon contributing $337 to Nurse Kim’s check.

Inspired by their principal and knowing community members battling cancer, sixth graders Carly Foreman and Danielle Alcazar challenged the students to grow out their hair for a donation at Christmastime. Both prefer their hair to rest below the shoulder, but will grow it out all the way down their back. “Our purpose was to help Nurse Kim and MeKenna and someone at our church,” Alcazar said.

According to Locks of Love, more than 80 percent of all hair donated comes from children wanting to help other children. Donors must lop off a minium of ten inches of hair because most of the recipients want long hair and two inches is lost in the manufacturing process. “Don’t worry, you have all summer to grow out your hair if it’s already not long enough,” Alcazar said.

The girls will hold a hair cutting party in December. Meanwhile they are finalizing plans to sell T‑shirts reminding others to donate their hair. Proceeds will go to a children’s hospital or Nurse Kim. For more information on donating hair or ordering T‑shirts, e‑mail Carly at carly1079@yahoo.com or Danielle at limegreenprincess@cox.net.

Reach the reporter at ambria@thedesertadvocate.com.