By Student Correspondent, Samara Frederiksen
Photos by Student Photo Journalist, Paul Hammond
With
the buzz of an electronic shaver and jovial and excited cheers from the sea of orange
attired students and staff, the annual National Day of Action against Bullying
and Shave for a Cure was well underway.
The
staff and students at Maleny State High School embraced the importance of the day
by wearing orange clothing. In addition to this day of recognition and reflection,
staff and students were also committed to raising funds for Shave for Cure. Mr. O’Shea started off
the events at the morning school parade, bravely allowing a student to
shave one side of his head and most of his beard. Ms. Ebenezer showed immense ingenuity
by using Mr O’Sheas predicament to encourage the school into coming back at
lunch to watch the final round of shaving, and also enjoy a sausage sizzle, organized
by the Interact Club.
The lunch event commenced with Maleny
High’s locally renowned band The Fence Sitters
belting out some amazing covers. The band, consisting of Dylan, Tappy, Billy, Jack, Ava & Charlotte explained
that their performance was in support of the important message that “Bullying
is not ok in any circumstance”.
After the band’s well received performance,
Mr. O’Shea continued his shaving, finally ending up with very little hair on
his head and no evidence that a beard ever existed. Mr O’Shea admitted that he
only intended to get his beard shaved, which slowly and somewhat dramatically
morphed into his head being shaved as well. However, the cleanly shaven Mr O’Shea
reaffirmed the importance of not only supporting those with Leukemia, but also
taking a united stand against bullying.
“Anti-Bullying
is important to me, because I don’t like seeing people upset and bullying
upsets people,” he said.
Mr. O’Shea wasn’t the only teacher who
showed their support in one way or another, Mr. Homewood was easy to spot in
his orange shirt, supporting Anti-Bullying.
“It’s a major issue, and if I can show my
support by just wearing t-shirt, than I will,” he said.
Friday turned out to be a huge success. The
sausage sizzle and free dress day collected $770 For the Shave for a Cure cause.
It will return next year, bigger and better than before. We look forward to
seeing a sea of orange again and those willing to lose their hair for a good
cause.