Marshall High School quarterback Marty Kays gives science teacher David Meyer a trim Friday, Oct. 10, at a school assembly celebrating the students' reaching their fundraising goal for the "Week in Pink" cancer awareness program. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Meyer made good on a promise to have his head shaved in front of the student body if the students managed to raise at least $750 in the Pennies from Heaven fundraising project to benefit the Fitzgibbon Hospital Community Cancer Center.

The students rose to the challenge, accumulating nearly $900-worth of pennies in less than a month, according to MHS Activities Director Scott Latham. The senior class topped the list with $560, he said.

And that's just MHS students' efforts. Marshall elementary schools, Bueker Middle School and St. Peter Catholic School participated in the fundraising, too.

"He threw his head out there, and the students stepped up," Latham said.

MHS art teacher Shawn Harris served as master of ceremonies for the event, introducing Meyer by noting that he would soon be joining other illustrious baldies: Homer Simpson, Ving Rhames and, of course, Britney Spears.

Meyer got a big cheer from the assembled students when he took the "hot seat" in the middle of the gymnasium, but Harris congratulated the students, too, for their efforts.

"I think we ran Marshall dry," he said. "We broke the machine counting all the pennies."

Meyer knew what he was getting into when he offered the challenge. He's done this before.

The first time was about six years ago, he said, for a Christmas food and toy drive. And the experience wasn't so bad.

"It actually felt kind of cool," he said. "I kept it that way for a time."

Senior students from Meyer's classes did the honors this time, and they did a pretty good job, he said.

There were a few minor glitches -- when one or two students tried to run the clippers over his head while they were turned off ("that kind of hurt") -- but no blood was shed and Meyer came out of the experience with a nice haircut ("and free, too").

"I think the whole 'pink' thing is one of the neatest things we've done as a school," he said. "If I could do something to help the cause, I was all for it."

Robin Heinzler, a beautician and wife of MHS teacher Jim Heinzler, finished the job, tidying up and taking off Meyer's trademark sideburns.

Several Marshall football players suggested they were impressed with Meyer's courage.

Aaron Fulton said, "I wouldn't do it" and lamented that Meyer included his sideburns in the deal.

Demetric Poindexter said Meyer's offer to get his head shaved made a real difference. "Everybody wanted to give."

"I think he's doing it to show how important it is," said Charlie Dykes, referring to the cancer center fundraising project.

Money raised by the district during the "Week in Pink" activities will help with cancer awareness programs and may go toward the purchase of digital mammography equipment for the new cancer center.

There will be several special activities at the game, according to Latham, including check presentations from other schools that raised money for the project. Art Hains, a Marshall native and announcer for the Kansas City Chiefs, is expected to be on hand to share the announcing duties.

See also:

Klinge gives Marshall school board update on "Football in Pink" event:

www.marshallnews.com/story/1464525.html

Fitzgibbon Hospital announces series of Breast Cancer Awareness Month events:

www.marshallnews.com/story/1464524.html

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net