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, bringing in 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 head shaving, students from the district’s cosmetology program, led by instructor Jaime Pendl, operated the hair buzzers. The program is housed at 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.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 3/22/2024