Middle School Fundraiser: Save It or Shave It

If not the ultimate sacrifice, it would be a big one. That is if Michael Hayes, Amherst Regional Middle School’s new principal, loses in a town-wide giving pool that will decide if he has to shave down or be allowed to preserve his pristine head of flowing locks.

You see, he has never been to a barber.  That’s right, NEVER!  (it becomes clearer upon seeing the long-ponytailed educator).

In a fundraiser concocted by ARMS parent Adam Siegel, students, residents and others (Michael’s friends, perhaps) will have a chance to vote with their dollars on whether or not he will have to go under the scissors.

Administering the cutlery (or not) will be Matt Haskins, who will also collect the votes/dollars at his barbershop at 59A Boltwood Walk (facing the parking lot behind Judy’s).  ARMS will have its own polling place where donations for the two categories (save it/shave it) will also be collected.

With a deadline of June 16th, when the dollars will be tallied and the popular decision revealed at ARMS’s end of the year farewell ceremony, the school hopes to have enough money on hand to perpetuate its Visiting Authors program to at least next year.  The popular program hosted Naomi Shihab Nye, author of Habibi, and several other authors this year, costs about $10,000 a year to administer.

Also, at this very public ceremony, Matt will be there poised to cut.  In fact, Mr. Hayes has agreed to have his head shaved entirely in front of the student body if he loses the vote and more than $8,000 is raised for the program.  “If I’m going to have it cut at all, I might as well go for it,” he said shakily.  His enthusiasm of the prospect is belied by his own donation.  He committed $100 to, you guessed it, keep his head intact.  In support of his profound hopes, ARMS FSP Chair, Cathy Cullen matched his gift; though Siegel voted “nay” with his own donation.

Send your donation for this great cause along with your vote to ARMS Save It or Shave It, 170 Chestnut St., Amherst, MA  01002.  Checks can be made out to ARMS Principal’s Fund.  Pass the word along to all of your friends to help with the fun and the fundraising.  We can’t wait to see what happens on the last day of school!

For more information contact either Adam Siegel (413) 687-1471 or Principal Michael Hayes   hayesm@arps.org.