Bald Is Beautiful at Grayslake North's St. Baldrick's Event

"It takes raising money and makes it fun," said Rebecca Fukes, 16, just before she sat in the chair in front of a crowd of people and had her green hair shaved off.

Fukes and several other students, including a few other girls, had their heads shaved for the St. Baldrick's Event. Students at Grayslake North and Grayslake Central have partnered to support the charity over the last 27 days. They called it ONE-27, to symbolize uniting the two high schools in District 127.

The students embraced the idea and willingly signed up to shave their heads.

"I needed a haircut anyway," said Patrick Webster, 14, one of the shave-ees. "I'm not nervous about it. It's hair - it'll grow back. I just wanted to support kids with cancer who really have to go through this."

Mike McGrath, 15, said he wanted to shave his head in honor of his friend Matt Hupp who died of cancer. "Yeah, this is important to help other kids with cancer," McGrath said. "I wasn't nervous. It'll grow back."

Some kids said their parents had a harder time making the decision to shave their hair than they did.

"It took me months and months and months to convince my mom to let me do this," said Fukes. "But my grandma had cancer. She lost her hair, too. But I always thought she was beautiful when she was bald. I knew I had to do this."

The Public Service Practicum (PSP) class at North, led by Chris Kubic, set up the carnival event for the shaving. Many friends and family members came out to support the kids as they took a stand againt childhood cancer.

"The kids at Central and North have taken over and embraced this project," said Greg Koeppen, who has worked on St. Baldrick's fundraisers for the past four years. He said the North event drew over 30 people shaving their heads, done by eight barbers/stylists with help by many volunteers.

"These are amazing kids in our community," Koeppen said. "I think doing this gives the kids a strong sense of community pride. That has been the coolest part -- how the kids embraced this idea."

Andy Nowling, 15, shaved his head and then had it spray painted green.

"I had done this once before so it was fine," Nowling said.

Sean McHugh, 14, said he shaved his head to pay tribute to relatives who have had cancer.

The idea behind the event is to get people talking about the charity, and to raise funds to fight childhood cancer. Signs in the hallway said "Ask me why I'm bald!" and "I helped kids with cancer."

Students clearly took pride in doing their part. A few adults, including a teacher and a security guard, and a few young kids, also stepped up to be shaved.

"I don't know how to explain how it felt," said Joey Stasiak, 15, freshly bald. "It is just...lighter. It is a really good cause and it gave me a chance to do something crazy like shave my head."

Koeppen and CJ McLaughlin of Grayslake, and Rob Danesi of Lake Villa, helped coordinate the event and the one planned for Central High School, which will be held this Saturday, Feb. 26.

Koeppen is also a volunteer coordinator for Lake County's LARGEST St. Baldrick's event on April 10, open to any community member. Last year, it raised over $23,000 and they hope to surpass that amount this year, Koeppen said.

"We encourage you to invite family members, friends and neighbors to come out for this outstanding cause!" he said.

The April 10 event begins at 3 p.m. and will be held at the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department Bingo Hall, 114 Washington Street, in Ingleside.