Bald for Bucks returns to World of Inquiry School No. 58 bringing students and teachers together to support those battling cancer

Rochester, New York – The sound of clippers filled the gymnasium at World of Inquiry School No. 58 on Friday morning, April 24, but it was not just about haircuts. It was about something deeper—solidarity, compassion, and a shared stand against cancer.

Students, teachers, and staff gathered closely, forming a supportive circle as several educators took their seats one by one. A professional stylist stood ready, and with each pass of the clippers, another teacher gave up their hair in a powerful show of unity. The Bald for Bucks fundraiser had returned, bringing with it both emotion and purpose.

The tradition, now more than a decade old, began in 2014 as a middle school project. It was sparked by a book read in an English class—an idea that quietly grew into something much larger. Over the years, it has become a defining moment in the school’s calendar, blending education with empathy in a way few events can.

For many in the room, the cause felt personal.

“This is a great way to get our school community together, and this is a good thing to do for people who need help,” said Andrew Fox, a math teacher at World of Inquiry, who helped organize the fundraiser. “Cancer affects so many people. These students probably have had it affect them in some way.”

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As each teacher stepped forward, the mood shifted between light applause and quiet reflection. Before the clippers began, many took a moment to speak. Some shared names. Others told short stories. Each dedication was a reminder that behind the event were real people—family members, friends, and loved ones who had faced or were still facing the disease.

The act of shaving their heads was simple, almost ordinary on the surface. Yet in that space, it carried weight. It symbolized support for those who lose their hair during treatment, and more importantly, it sent a clear message: no one fights alone.

The event also marked a return. Bald for Bucks had been paused in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving a noticeable gap in the school’s traditions. Its comeback this year felt like a restoration—not just of an event, but of a shared sense of purpose.

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Funds raised during the fundraiser will go toward supporting cancer patients and their families through 13Thirty Cancer Connect and Roswell Cancer Center in Buffalo. While the exact total raised was not the focus of the morning, the impact was clear in the faces of those who participated.

By the end of the event, the gym looked much the same as it had at the start—but the atmosphere had changed. There was a quiet pride, a sense of connection that lingered even after the clippers were turned off.

At World of Inquiry School No. 58, Bald for Bucks is more than a fundraiser. It is a lesson—one that cannot be found in textbooks—about empathy, courage, and standing together when it matters most.