Inch-by-Inch event held for Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Students cut their hair and donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths during the Inch-by-Inch event at the all-school assembly in the auditorium April 19. 30 students volunteered to donate their hair and chose friends to cut it for them.

Sophomores Grace Decker, from left, Julia Flores, freshmen Zoey Ford, Lucy Sturr, Marie Bruck and Elise Johnson talk on stage in the auditorium as they get their hair cut and cut hair during the Inch-by-Inch event April 19. The hair and any other proceeds or donations went to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. photo by Trang Nguyen

by Trang Nguyen, Breaking News Editor
April 30, 2018

Freshman Georgia Winfield organized the Inch-by-Inch event where girls cut their hair and donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths April 19. Winfield was inspired by her father and her older sister who both had struggled but defeated cancer. The all-school assembly featured a speech by school alumna Brooke Harris who is currently battling breast cancer. 30 students got their hair cut by designated friends in front of the whole school in the auditorium during activity 2.

The speaker and school alumna Brooke Harris’ sister Morgan Kuechler tears up during Harris’ speech about her struggles fighting breast cancer during the Inch-by-Inch event April 19. Harris was diagnosed with breast cancer and is still fighting the disease. photo by Trang Nguyen

Sophomore Cadina Palelei got her hair cut by her friend sophomore Anna Ronan. She donated 13 inches to Pantene Beautiful Lengths and was inspired to do so after having long hair for so long.

“I have wanted to try something new,” Palelei said. “My hair has always been a major characteristic people know me by, so I thought why not do it for a good cause?”

Freshman Natalie Rovello cuts social studies teacher Alicia Stewart’s hair during the Inch-by-Inch event in the auditorium April 19. Stewart had her students bid to get the honor of cutting her hair. photo by Trang Nguyen

Palelei was nervous about the event at the beginning. After hearing Harris speak about her cancer battles, she was moved to tears.

“It was so cool to feel like I was a part of something greater,” Palelei said. “It was nearly spiritual because Brooke was so close to STA and describing her journey really did pull my heartstrings.”