On April 11, The Academy of the Holy Cross high school in Kensington held its fourth annual Hair Donation Drive, with 38 students donating at least eight inches of their hair. The donated hair was given to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which provides free real-hair wigs to the American Cancer Society’s wig banks.
As part of the event, Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell visited campus to share her experiences and to explain why she donated some of her hair in 2015.
Cantrell spoke at an all-school assembly about her path to becoming Miss America. Her message to the students was one of perseverance no matter what obstacles might get in the way. She also talked about donating her hair in December 2015–something unusual for a Miss America to do. “Miss America is known for having long, beautiful, flowing hair,” she said. But she said she felt compelled to give of herself.
The students’ hair was cut by the owners of Eivind and Hans of Georgetown salon and spa. They have participated in the Holy Cross hair drive since its inception. Holy Cross current parent Hans Kalset and his father-in-law Eivind Bjerke have donated their time for over 20 years with the organization Look Good Feel Better, training cosmetologists to provide skin care and beauty techniques to patients undergoing cancer treatment.
