Comsewogue Students, Staff Shave Heads to Fight Childhood Cancer

Hair fell to the stage floor of JFK Middle School's auditorium as students, a teacher, and an assistant principal took turns in the chair for the Comsewogue School District's annual St. Baldrick's Day fundraiser on March 16. With classmates cheering from the rows below the stage, participants buzzed their heads to raise money for childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

This year's event carried particular weight. The district dedicated the fundraiser to Liam Salembier, a Comsewogue student currently battling cancer. "When we heard what one of our own students was fighting, we wanted to show our support in any way we could and dedicated this fundraiser to him and his family," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Quinn.

The district raised at least $4,600 through the event, according to one report. A separate account put the combined total at over $6,000, and the final figure is pending confirmation from the district. Either way, the money goes to the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which the Northport Journal has described as the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants, having raised hundreds of millions of dollars since its founding in 1999.

The day's standout fundraiser was sixth-grader Mikey Campenelli, who has participated in the event for eight consecutive years. Mikey raised over $2,000 this year alone, and with that total came a hard-won privilege: he was handed the razor and shaved Assistant Principal James Hilbert's head onstage. Hilbert has maintained the tradition for roughly eight years. "About eight years ago, I got the bright idea of having whichever kid raises the most money can shave my head," Hilbert said. "My hair grows back. It is no big deal." Watching from the auditorium, Mikey's mother Deidre Campenelli took in the moment simply: "It makes me so proud."

Teacher Bryan Hurley was the first to go under the clippers. The nine participants — seven middle school students, one teacher, and one assistant principal, according to one account — faced a crowd that had been warmed up by social studies teacher Joe Bienz, who served as DJ and kept the energy high with "Call Me Maybe" and the "Cha Cha Slide."

The tone was intentional. Band teacher Stephanie Jakilitsch, who brought the St. Baldrick's fundraiser to JFK Middle School a decade ago after her friend lost a 3-year-old to cancer, has worked to reframe what could be a frightening experience. "We try to make it a party atmosphere because it is a scary thing to shave your head," she said. Jakilitsch has led the event each year alongside teacher Kristen Surdi.

Dr. Quinn said the annual event reflects something deeper than any single fundraising total. "Each year, we come together for a huge St. Baldrick's Day fundraiser to cheer on our student and staff volunteers who agreed to shave their head for such an important cause." Hilbert echoed that sentiment from the stage: "When good causes come along like this, the community comes together because it really affects so many people.