submitted by Brian Bushner
Six members of the Hoosick Falls Central School faculty and staff have been growing beards since November to help raise money for a great cause, The Isabel McGuire Memorial Scholarship. Students in grades 7-12 can purchase raffle tickets for which teacher they would like a chance to “shave,” which is an opportunity for the students to shave humorous and creative patterns, shapes, and designs into the beards.[private]
The event is organized by High School Art teacher Rob Viera, who said, “Isabel loved to have fun and to laugh. We have this event in her memory as a way to keep laughter in the hearts of our school community, raise awareness of cancer, and of course, make fools of ourselves, just as she would have wanted.”
This year had the most men participating. Along with Viera, the five others who grew immensely manly beards are Tony Malikowski (Technology & Science), Adam Cabana (Teacher Aide), Brian Bushner (Community Information Officer), Damien Bundrick (Math), and James Lynch (Science).
This year there was also a “special mystery guest” that was being raffled. The guest revealed at the event was Bill Clairmont, who left HFCS for a career opportunity in the Mechanicville school district. Mr. Clairmont had participated in the beard-off for the first two years and was immensely popular with the students. When he was revealed as the mystery guest, the students welcomed him with thunderous applause. After speaking to the students, he expressed how much he misses them and how great they all are. He received a standing ovation from the kids.
Additionally, Mr. Clairmont brought a $500 donation from Josh Rickson, who owns Upstate Dumpsters.
As members of the McGuire family watched, the men had to draw cards to determine the order in which they’d be shaved. Student volunteers operated cameras to project close-up shots of the shaving onto a big screen, capturing the action from three angles.
The event was was an enormous success, and was a fun-filled way for the students to end their day.
The six members of the HFCS staff (and the mystery guest) have to wear their “beardcuts” for the next school day before being able to shave off whatever beard remains.
The lucky students who got to do the shaving were Jill Maser, Bryce Steller, Liz Ryan, Kellan Skott, Ryan LaPorte, Kaylee Denue, and Nate Mead.
Isabel McGuire passed away March 13, 2014; she was only 48 years old. In 1995, she took the high school math position at Hoosick Falls Central School and was in her 18th year teaching at the time of her passing. Her impression on students and her love for teaching was inspiring. The HFCSD family of colleagues and students still have a profound respect and love for McGuire, who is missed every day.
Special thanks to Darrell Holovach, Devin Weingold, and music teacher Rob Allen for all of their hard work with lights, sound, and video. Two students, Heidi Bossoni and Megan Flynn, volunteered to sell raffle tickets during their lunch periods – thanks to them both for doing so.
Also, special thanks to the HFCS Photography Club for their work capturing the event from many perspectives. Additional thanks to senior class advisor Jessica Dougherty, who handled the money for the event.
The total amount raised was over $1,300 which will all go toward the scholarship named in memory of McGuire.[/private]