The entire Bellmore-Merrick school community came together March 20 for the districtwide annual Chop Your Locks for charity event benefiting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, hosted by Wellington C. Mepham High School.
This year’s event has already raised $56,000 for the foundation, which supports pediatric cancer research and outreach.
Together with teachers Kerry Dennis and Chris Patten, and social studies chairperson Robyn Einbinder, members of the department oversaw various details of the evening’s success. Patten also played the bagpipes with the Amity Highland Pipes Band, of which he is a member.
Seniors Emma Alfaro, Brahim Alam, Olivia Guarascio and Kieran Kehoe were hosts for the evening. Students in Participation in Government classes volunteered as part of their senior service learning project.
Matt Chicco, a teacher from Merrick Avenue Middle School, was the evening’s top fundraiser at $5,210. Mepham senior Kieran Kehoe, was second, raising $4,291.
Members of the Star Wars-themed cosplay group, the 501st Legion, were also on hand to support the cause. The district’s Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting program documented the event and produced an on-air segment during the fundraiser.
When it came time for the head shaving, students from the district’s cosmetology program, led by instructor Jaime Pendl, operated the hair buzzers. The program is housed at Sanford H. Calhoun High School.
Calhoun’s DECA raised more than $1,000, led by senior Nickolas Mascary. His efforts inspired Assistant Principal Michael Hughes to chop his locks for charity that night.
Donations are still being accepted at https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/868/2024.
Photo captions:
1) Brahim Alam, one of the event hosts, interviewed a volunteer ahead of his head shaving.
2) From left, Emerson Brill, Ava LoPresti and Julia Crimeni volunteered at the check in table.
3) Seniors Emma Alfaro, Brahim Alam, Olivia Guarascio and Kieran Kehoe were hosted for the evening.
4) Charles Decker of the Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting program interviewed members of the Star Wars-themed cosplay group, the 501st Legion.
5) Teacher and event co-organizer Chris Patten played the bagpipes with the Amity Highland Pipes Band, of which he is a member.
6) Science chairperson Heather Bizewski, Calhoun Assistant Principal Michael Hughes, Social Studies Chairperson Robyn Einbinder, teacher and co-organizer Kerry Dennis and Mepham Principal Anthony DeMartinis.
Photos courtesy the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
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