This year’s St. Baldrick’s event was a huge success at Sagamore, with $18,000 raised to battle childhood cancer. There were 38 “shavees” including two teachers and Sagamore’s principal, Mr. Larson. The boys shaved their heads and the girls gave long locks that will be used to make wigs for children who are enduring chemotherapy.
Leading up to the big day, Mrs. Gustavsen and Ms. Alexander spent months planning this amazing event. Three staff members, Mrs. Reilly, Mrs. Winkelmeyer, and Ms. Alexander, knitted hats and scarves to give as “thank you” gifts to all the volunteers. Ms. Alexander and Mr. Cully ran a successful volleyball tournament getting the entire school involved and contributing over $1,500 to the cause. Hairdressers from the Cactus Salon volunteered in the weeks prior to the event, selling green hair extensions to students and staff. Bulletin boards displayed the volunteers’ photos and essays sharing why they were participating.
Volunteers like A.J. Salajka participated to honor family members who fought cancer. A.J. wrote about his aunt who “did so many nice things” for his family before passing away, so he was looking forward to “doing a nice thing for her.” Brendan Glasser wrote, “my aunt and my cousin both suffer from cancer and so do many other people in the world. My goal is to put an end to cancer.” When Corrine Ednie’s friend Kenny was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, she “saw firsthand what some children have to go through.” Thomas McMullen participated because shaving his head would be “one way to show solidarity with kids fighting cancer.”
The day of the St. Baldrick’s event was a huge celebration. Each grade spent a period in the gymnasium cheering on their classmates getting shaved. To add to the fun, the crowd was entertained by the amazing Sagamore Arrowettes, and an excellent Irish step dancer, Danny Pensabene from Sequoya, whose mom works at Sagamore, and Hank O’Neil, a bagpipe player and Mrs. Sullivan’s neighbor who took time out of competing in places like Scotland to join us.
Each participant got a hat or a scarf, a beautiful cupcake made by Mrs. Grant, and the admiration from their teachers and peers. As a special reward to the many students who earned over $500 in donations, Mr. Larson and Mrs. Johnson, Sagamore’s principal and AP, hosted a wonderful breakfast for them. Mrs. Alexander and Mrs. Gustavson appreciate all the support from Sagamore and look forward to next year’s event.
