By: Pedro Heizer
BOCA RATON – It’s that time of the year again! Olympic Heights High School in Boca Raton, Florida completed its annual St. Baldrick’s celebration.
St. Baldrick’s is an organization in which it’s volunteers shave their heads in solidarity with kids fighting cancer and family and friends give generously. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation uses the donations to fund more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the United States Government. At a St. Baldrick’s event, something amazing happens. People who normally shy away from the very thought of childhood cancer find themselves compelled to support this cause after looking into the face of these brave children who are beaming as their friends and family members proudly display their newly shorn heads. Volunteers and donors see it can be fun to support a serious cause.
This is the sixth year that the event has happened at Olympic Heights, which was brought not only to the school but to Palm Beach County six years ago by Olympic Heights own Renee Manwaring.
Olympic Heights raised over $34 Thousand dollars in this year’s event with 62 brave students and staff that stepped up to the plate to raise money for children cancer. Among the first time “shavee” was first year Olympic Heights Principal Frank Rodriguez that when asked about the magnitude of this event and what it means to not only Olympic Heights but to Palm Beach County said, “This is a great opportunity for us a school to show our character.”
Jeffery Wise, a senior at Olympic Heights spoke briefly about his experiences with battling cancer. But, emotions flared when Bruce, a young cancer survivor, came to the event with his mother to talk about his experiences with the disease. His Mother, Lisa, explained to the gymnasium full of teenagers that her son began to feel weak and the doctors did not recognize that it was cancer. “They said it was everything imaginable. They said he had bronchitis at first”. “Cancer is random. We don’t know who it chooses to effect. It can happen to anyone” she continued.
While all the talk was going on, the brave 62 students and faculty began to shave their heads. Students with as different hair styles joined all together in one school gymnasium on the day before spring break to shave their heads to conquer kid’s cancer.
“This is a great event; every year we find a way to get better and better.” Said Mr. Olympic Heights Joshua Bennett after the event to The Boca Raton Tribune.
“I freak out over the littlest things, seeing these kids and adults shaving their heads make me look up to them with my utmost respect.” said an emotional Ms. Olympic Heights Kelly Miles during the ceremony.
Also at the ceremony were current High School District Director, and former Olympic Heights principal, Peter B. Licata and Olympic Heights Alumni Chloe Dolandis singing two songs from her debut album that is due in stores later this year. Licata, who received a rousing standing ovation from his former students said, “It’s good to be back here. I’m thankful that you guys have continued on this great tradition of St. Baldrick’s.”
Although some negative attention has been given to Olympic Heights this year, St. Baldrick’s is the one event in the school that unifies the student body with one goal, Go Bald or Go Home. The Mighty Lions of Olympic Heights Community High School have once again proved that it will take more than some negative comments to bring this school down.