When Ms. Charity Munro, a Highland teacher, said she would shave all her hair off if the school raised over $2,500 in the annual Terry Fox Run, she hoped this would challenge the students to rise to the occasion.
鈥淚 realized I was committed when I saw our donations pouring in. I then had to start the slow goodbye to my hair,鈥� said Munro.
The Terry Fox Run and fundraiser is a long-standing tradition at Highland, and this year students were given an extra fundraising challenge. If staff and students raised more than $1980, which was the year of Terry Fox鈥檚 Marathon of Hope, then teacher Mr. Ian MacLean and Grade 12 student Eli Blasco would shave their heads.
Ms. Munro鈥檚 offer was an added incentive.
When Blasco first signed on, he wasn鈥檛 convinced it would happen.
鈥淚t started out as a way to kick off fundraising and then it took off from there,鈥� he said. 鈥淢ore and more people kept coming up to me telling me how much they were going to donate. It was awesome. 鈥�
On Oct. 7, with the sun shining and school spirit high, staff and students ran and walked around the school and neighbourhood. Not only did the Highland community meet the fundraising goal, but they wildly surpassed it by bringing in $4,600.
True to their promise, Mr. MacLean, Ms. Munro, and Eli Blasco all had their heads shaved outside at lunch the following week, with students and staff cheering them on, further bolstering school spirit and making for some terrific memories.
Jacques Nijhoff, one of Highland鈥檚 teacher organizers, was thrilled.
鈥淚 am inspired by Highland鈥檚 fundraising for Terry Fox鈥檚 Marathon of Hope,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ear after year, we have increased our fundraising total. Well done! Special thanks to Mr. McLean, Ms. Munro, and Eli Blasco.鈥�
Huge gratitude to all who organized, participated, and donated to this very worthy cause and Highland tradition. Highland has heart!
