(Melanie Q./Staff)

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! You slam your hand over the blaring 6:00 a.m. alarm clock and stifle a yawn. In a groggy state, you see a circular figure standing across from you. As your eyes focus, you realize that this “circular figure” is your reflection, and there are strands of hair protruding from all angles of your head. You grab a brush and smooth out your hair, sighing in relief as the bedhead diminishes.

The simple task of brushing your hair each day may not seem significant, but many cannot experience this privilege. Certain medical conditions, aging, and genetics lead to hair loss, affecting over 50 million individuals worldwide. As a result, these individuals use wigs to express part of their identity that would not be possible otherwise. 

Wigs are either synthetic or natural. While synthetic wigs are cheaper, they have styling restrictions and lack a natural appearance. Natural wigs, on the other hand, offer realism and versatility since they use real human hair.

People with at least 8 inches of non-bleached hair are eligible to donate, and several members of Academy have engaged in this practice. One recurring donor is our beloved Upper School Latin teacher and Service Board advisor, Ms. Bening. 

Many years ago, a group of students inspired Ms. Bening to donate her hair, and she has done so six times since. Every three years, Ms. Bening donates her hair to Locks of Love, an organization that gives high-quality wigs to disadvantaged children. She continues this tradition to honor her mother-in-law who passed away from breast cancer and longed for a natural-looking wig. 

Ms. Bening says, “If you have long hair and decide to get a haircut, I encourage you to think about the possibility of handing your hair over to someone. It’s easy to do, not painful, and doesn’t hurt anybody—if you’re eligible to donate, why not do it?”

Hair donation does not require extra effort from the donor, and wig users greatly appreciate the gesture: it’s a win for both the donor and receiver!