Londonderry High Students A Cut Above

More than 170 students, parents and staff members donated their hair at Friday's Londonderry High School Day of Giving Celebration.

The event, now in its seventh year, is part of the national Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign. The donated ponytails will be made into about two dozen real-hair wigs to be distributed free to cancer patients undergoing treatment.

Londonderry High teacher Steven Juster, who organized the event, called it "the end of a very long journey.

"Lancer Nation, the size of the group on this floor is a testament to you," he said. "Everyone sitting here – on the floor, in the stands – has created this day. People fighting the fight of their lives know they have all of you on their side."

Juster said the annual event has grown beyond the walls of Londonderry High. Already this school year, he said, he has collected 52 ponytails in his classroom donated by members of the community.

"That's how much impact you've had," he said.

Friday's ceremony was a true community event, as Juster recognized various students whose lives have been touched by cancer, as well as numerous school and community groups that have made a difference in the lives of others.