To determine whether or not to overturn principal Tonya King’s decision on junior,Jim Stack’s request, the school board will vote on Monday at 7 p.m. about the issue.
“ I was disappointed when [King] turned down my request, “ Stack said. “ I’m told a lot of people donate money. Not very many donate hair. It takes time and dedication to grow your hair and donate it.”
Although Stacks knew what he wanted to do to help the Locks of Love organization, a place where they send wigs out to cancer patients who can’t afford wigs, King had a different view on the situation.
“ There are other ways Jim could help the Locks of Love group,” King said. “ He could have a fundraiser and donate the money to the organization.”
The Dress Code states that male students’ hair cannot be longer than collar length and must be a natural color. By growing his hair out, Stack will break this rule.
“ I hope I can inspire more people in the town to grow their hair and donate it,” Stacks said.
According to the president of Locks of Love Gisel Roco she was moved by Stack’s wishes and gives her support for his cause.
“Every month we receive about 200 requests from families who cannot afford a wig for their sick child,” Roco said. “ And every month we have to turn down about 150 of those. We refer parents to other organizations, but I wish we didn’t have to.”
Stack’s little sister Jasmine Stack was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 5, and the Stack family could not afford to buy a wig, but after asking Locks of Love, a wig was sent immediately.
“ We were all relieved when Jasmine recovered and the doctors said the cancer was gone, “ said Bill Valdez, the School Board President.
Both Valdez and King were in support of Jasmine’s recovery when she was sick with cancer and lost all of her hair due to chemotherapy.
“I know about Jim’s sister and I’m glad she’s doing well but I can’t bend the rules for one student, “ King said.“ We have rules for a reason, and we just can’t just go breaking them anytime we want. The school would be in chaos then.”
As word go out about King’s denial, the Student Council wrote a letter to the School Board in support of Stack. The letter was signed by 350 students. Attached to the letter, the council listed 150 students who were also willing to grow their hair to donate to Locks of Love. Seventy-eight of the 150 students were male. The Locks of Love organization also provided the School Board with a letter verifying that Stack had applied to be a donor and had his parents’ permission.
“ Rules were made to be broken,” Student Council President, Castillo said. “ And this is a very good reason to break one.”