Approximately eighty girls in plaid skirts anxiously sit in chairs, waiting for at least eight inches of their hair to be cut off by their closest friends. The entire student body of St. Thomas Aquinas High School watches eagerly, all sporting matching t-shirts reading one simple message: ‘I hate cancer.’ A video plays, showing students narrating their personal stories about how they fought cancer desperately and how they supported its victims. A countdown starts and as it slowly ticks down to zero, razor-sharp scissors cut across the volunteers’ long hair; they have waiting for this one moment for months. Applause fills the students’ ears, tears fill their eyes and hope fills their hearts.

This scene could soon be a reality at the original STA. Junior Taylor Kramer is currently looking into starting Wigging Out, a program that benefits Locks of Love, next school year. STA would hold an assembly similar to the one Aquinas holds every spring and then donate all cut hair and proceeds to Locks of Love, who would use it to make wigs for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Kramer first got the idea to start Wigging Out after she cut the hair of her best friend, Aquinas junior Katie Gould at the annual assembly in March. She believes the program would make a beneficial addition to STA’s service program.

‘It’s something I hear a lot of girls talk about doing anyway on their own time,’ Kramer said. ‘These girls are so giving and generous. They wouldn’t hesitate at another chance to give back because that’s what our school is really about.’

STA has been especially touched by cancer this year because English teacher Pat Dunlay fighting breast cancer since last December.

‘Cancer touches everyone’s lives in one way or another,’ Kramer said. ‘It would be a really amazing way for all of us to give back, touch lives and bring up awareness.’

The program reaps benefits not only for Locks of Love, but for students as well. According to Gould, the assembly affects many students emotionally, brings a spiritual connection to the school and increases awareness of cancer

‘I felt helpless and [Wigging Out] was the answer to my prayers,’ Gould said. ‘It felt really great to know my hair was going to help someone.’

Community Service Club moderator Betsy Hansbrough thinks the program would only increase the already prominent service atmosphere at STA.

‘Anything that increases empathy [is positive],’ Hansbrough said. ‘Our job is to care for the dear neighbor no matter what. To be able to give that gift through programs like these is a big accomplishment.’

Although a program such as Wigging Out would hopefully be an overwhelming success, according to Hansbrough, it takes months of strong leadership, specific plans, attention to detail and support from the STA community. No specific plans have been made, but Kramer has run the idea by both Hansbrough and principal for student affairs Mary Anne Hoecker and hopes to get it started next school year.

‘It’ll be a success if you tell the story right,’ Hansbrough said. ‘To just say it’s for Locks of Love isn’t going to have the effect [students] want. You have to tell people’s stories.’

Telling people’s stories and unifying the school community is exactly what Aquinas has done since Wigging Out was started in 2007.

‘Each year it’s been getting bigger,’ Gould said. ‘Everyone gets pumped and the whole school gets involved. In the end everyone is applauding like crazy and there isn’t a dry eye in the room.’

Kramer hopes this atmosphere will transfer to STA if the program is started next year.

‘We always focus on service and making a difference,’ Kramer said. ‘We’re an all girls school and I know we could get a ton of girls to participate.’

Gould agrees that STA’s all girls environment fosters service and a commitment to helping others.

‘If anything it’ll be even cooler at STA,’ Gould said. ‘There are such wonderful girls at your school and the sisterhood aspect will make it even bigger and better.’