The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Top readers give teacher haircut
Locks to support charity for children
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 3, 2008
Photo by Sue G. Collins
Jessi Smith (left) and Maura Tyno read more than seven hours during March is Reading Month at Symons Elementary School. Their reward was an opportunity to cut their teacher's hair. Jenny Schmidt (center) holds the ponytail the girls cut off. Her hair will be donated to the Children with Hairloss charity.
Jenny Schmidt is a brave woman. She handed over a pair of scissors to one of her fourth-grade students, sat down, closed her eyes and held her breath while the girl cut off Schmidt's 12-inch ponytail.
A teacher at Symons Elementary School, Schmidt surprised her students March 26 when she awarded the top reader with the opportunity to cut her long hair, a product of some two years of growth.
Maura Tyno and Jessi Smith tied in the contest, each reading for 7.6 hours over a three-week period. March is celebrated as reading month throughout the school district and teachers dreamed up a variety of projects and challenges, though none quite as hair-raising as Schmidt's.
"I'd been growing my hair for over two years to donate it to one of the charities for cancer patients," she said.
"I found out Children with Hairloss is an organization based right here in Michigan and decided to surprise the kids by letting one of them do the honors."
The kids were thrilled.
"We had no idea we were going to be cutting our teacher's hair today," said Maura, who read mostly adventure stories during March is Reading Month and held the pony tail during the haircut.
"We knew there would be some prize for the person who read the most, but thought it would be candy or something," said Jessi, who wielded the scissors and read the "Leminy Snicket" series during the challenge.
Based in South Rockwood, Children With Hairloss was created as a resource to empower children with medically-related hair loss by making hair available if they are financially challenged. The organization's program is dedicated to raising the awareness of the emotional and physical effects of hair loss and provides hair replacement, a care kit, turbans, hats and free styling services.
Children With Hairloss accepts donations of clean hair at least 8 inches in length in a ponytail or braid.
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