It appears the Floyd Boys have established a new tradition at Ojai Valley School.
Students and teachers at the Upper Campus are once again participating in the cancer-fighting fundraiser, No Shave November, a campaign launched last year by then-senior Connor Floyd and continued this year by his younger brother, OVS junior Gavin Floyd.
Gavin organized the “No Shave” effort virtually by himself this year, not wanting to let die the young tradition started by his brother, who graduated last year and is now a freshman at Clarke University in Iowa.
“I thought it was great he did it,” Connor said. “It shows the kind of leader he is by continuing something that has worked in the past. I’m looking forward to seeing whatever scruff he has next week when I get home.”
There are 20 students and teachers participating in the fundraising effort this year.
Sophomore Andrew Meng is a reminder that the campaign isn’t just about how much hair someone can grow. Several students who are participating can’t grow facial hair, but that didn’t stop them from supporting an important cause.
“Despite the fact I can’t grow a mustache I still participate in it,” Andrew said. “It’s good to help support in the fight against cancer.”
No Shave November supports cancer research.The money that would normally be spent on shaving is donated to help in the fight against cancer. Participants pledged to donate a minimum of $20 to take part, and so far $400 has been raised.
“It costs about $10 a month to shave,” Gavin said. “With that money you can help fight cancer on a global scale.”
November is the only time OVS students get to grow out their facial hair. The school’s policy that students must be clean shave is a big factor in fundraising. Students would be less likely to participate if that rule was not in place.
“OVS’s tight rules on shaving gave me the inspiration for bringing this to OVS,” Connor said.
Whatever the reason, the effort has pulled the community together to support an important cause.
“When Connor brought it up last year I thought it was a great idea,” said history and journalism teacher Fred Alvarez, who is participating for a second year. “Not only is it great because we are raising money to fight cancer, but it is a great show of student activism. Students often say that the problems of the world are too big for just one person to solve, but I believe Connor and Gavin have just demonstrated how that is not true.”