CAMPUS LIFE
While many may see long hair as an excuse to break the rules, some Providence Day students are taking the opportunity to donate to a good cause.
by Chase Hartman
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Around campus, you definitely see some students who are out of the dress and grooming code every single day, but a few of them are doing it for a good cause.
Many students, including Anthony Kolodziej, Foster Kinlin, Scott Joyner, and I, have decided to donate our hair to Locks of Love or the Pantene Foundation. These programs take the hair that people donate and turn them into wigs. It takes about eight full donations to create one wig.
One of the students who helped bring this program to our school is PDS senior Foster Kinlin. Kinlin has been growing out and donating his hair for quite some time now. He donated 25 inches over two donations and is planning on donating more by the end of this year. When asked what inspired him to start donating his hair, he explained that it was all out of respect for his cousin, who lost his hair while he endured chemotherapy. He was grateful that the school approved his request to grow his hair so he could donate it a few years ago.
Kinlin and his brother, Miller, created the Locks of Love program at PD with the help of Mr. Scully. Since then, many people at our school, including myself, have been inspired to donate. When asked to describe his experience, Kinlin explained, “It's annoying at times, no doubt. But in the end it is very satisfying. It makes it all worth while to know how much it can mean to a child to get a wig.” The Locks of Love program is a phenomenal program for PDS. To provide more of a presence at our school, Kinlin said: “...it's [hair] something that we take for granted, but without it you could feel so out of place or self conscious. The wigs that are provided restore a sense of normality for the kids.”
As for my own experience, growing it out has been a journey, to say the least. I went into this program around March of 2014, having no clue how to treat long hair. The first few months were easy, but then my hair started to drop down over my eyes, and there was nothing I could do. My hair also started taking much longer to actually dry. Kinlin and I agree that the stage when your hair is a little too short to wear in a ponytail or bun is the hardest part. Several months later, my hair began to finally fit into a ponytail. I’ve never had a ponytail in my life, and it felt like someone was constantly grabbing the back of my head, but maintaining it was much easier. I’ve been asked by many people about my hair, so growing it out was a great way to promote the program to more people. With only a few inches left to grow until I can donate, I am very satisfied with my decision to grow it out, because in the end, it’s about helping someone and knowing you directly contributed.
If you are thinking about getting involved, you can visit these websites for more information:
Long hair ‘cuz we care
Chase Hartman, Scott Joyner, and Anthony Kolodziej showing off their hair lengths.
“Facial hair is forbidden. Boys’ hair should be neatly cut and tastefully groomed. Length must remain above the collar and eyebrows. Any extremes of hairstyle, length, or color are unacceptable.”
Upper School Student-Parent Handbook
“...it's [hair] something that we take for granted, but without it you could feel so out of place or self conscious. The wigs that are provided restore a sense of
normality for the kids.”
-Foster Kinlin
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