Students Raise Funds, and It’s a Close Shave

All Robert Gaudette wants for Christmas is a full head of hair.

The Dale Junior High history teacher gave his students a chance to shear off his 4-inch-long locks Friday after they met his challenge to raise $200 for the school’s grocery drive.

Inspired by the incentive, the class topped the school’s 21-year record and raised $301.55. The students collected donations from family, friends and teachers, and many brought in their own money.

Altogether, the Anaheim school raised $3,600, which was used to purchase about $85 worth of food for each of 42 Anaheim families.

“I did it just to motivate them, and it worked,” said Gaudette, who helped deliver groceries Thursday morning. “It’s a really good cause, and I would do it again.”

More than 100 students crowded into Gaudette’s eighth-grade U.S. history classroom to watch the ceremonious haircut. Each student who was eligible--who turned in their last assignment before the holiday break--got to run the clippers once over Gaudette’s head as classmates cheered and gasped.

Elizabeth Guzman, 13, brought in a camera to snap before and after pictures of Gaudette.

“We got the pizza party too, but this is cool,” she said.

Several teachers stopped by to tease Gaudette and see if he was following through with his promise.

“I think I’m paying my dues,” Gaudette said as several of his co-workers filed by wearing grins. “I’m a joker and I play a lot of jokes around here. When they found out they had the opportunity to get my head shaved, they really came through with the donations.”

Donna Pal, 14, was impressed with Gaudette’s sacrifice.

“Most of the class didn’t think he would do it, but a lot of us knew he would,” she said. “It’s a pretty good way to get us to bring in money.”

Though Gaudette’s wife, Susie, said she liked his new haircut, he said he doesn’t think he’ll keep it.

“My hair grows fast,” he said optimistically, rubbing his buzz cut. “I’ve got two weeks off and my hair will probably be back to normal. And I’ve got a few hats to wear until then.”