Falcons go bald for cancer research

Though students at Valley Stream South High School have shaved their heads before to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, this year’s fundraiser on March 26 had a more personal feel to it. South sophomore Florencia Salinas is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, and 45 of her peers shaved their heads in solidarity last Friday, raising more than $13,000 for childhood cancer research.

“Our motto at South is ‘A small amount of kindness makes a difference,’” said Principal Maureen Henry. “[Florencia] is definitely in our thoughts, and we are 100 percent behind her.”

Wearing shirts that said “Grow it, shave it, beat it,” students lined up to get their heads shaved by local barbers and seniors from Central High School’s cosmetology department. South science teacher Jeff Tsi, who oversaw the fundraiser along with math teacher Mary Moeller, said the goal was to raise $10,000, but Tsi said he thought that the impact of a South student fighting cancer compelled more students to come forward to donate. “A lot of her friends are here,” he said of Florencia. “She’s undergoing chemo right now, and we’re all here to help.”

Moeller said that the outpouring of support shows how South students stand behind one another. “We’re a community,” she said. “They just want to help their fellow peer. It shows they have a lot of heart. I think the situation with [Florencia] drove them.”

For the top fundraiser, seventh-grader Theo Kokkoris, battling cancer hit home. Kokkoris, who raised $3,000 for St. Baldrick’s, said his father, uncle and grandfather all fought and beat the disease. His father is in remission, Kokkoris said, and once he found out about Florencia, he wanted to help. “My family donated $500,” Theo said. “But then I went to my church and the priest let me say a few words, and we were able to raise another $2,000.”

Kokkoris, who had six inches of hair shaved off, said that though it felt nice to be the school’s top fundraiser, it wasn’t a competition. “It feels good,” he said, “but it’s better because I know it’s going to a great place.”

Ken Heino, a South alumnus and the president of the Valley Stream Youth Council, raised $250, but was somewhat hesitant to have his head shaved. “It’s my first time, so I’m pretty nervous but excited,” Heino said before he submitted to a buzz cut. “But I’m healthy and my hair will grow back. There are some kids whose hair won’t.”

Ninth-grader Rebekah Olson, who raised $255, said that donating to St. Baldrick’s was something she always wanted to do. Her family, too, has been affected by cancer, Rebekah said, so cutting off nine inches of hair to show her support was easy. “I think it’s great to put vanity aside and feel how these cancer patients feel,” she said.

Christina Roopnarine, an 11th-grader at South, said her family was also touched by cancer, so she donated eight inches of her hair and raised $143. She wasn’t sure what the outcome would be, she said, but wanted to show her support.

Senior Moses Syldort said he shaved his head last year for St. Baldrick’s and wanted to do something meaningful in 2010 as well. “At South, we understand the meaning,” Moses said. “We’re not superficial. We know this is a good cause.”

According to StBaldricks.org, the foundation now funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Since 2000, there have been head-shaving events in 24 countries and every state, raising more than $74 million. More than 130,000 volunteers — including some 10,000 women — have shaved their heads in solidarity with children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family.