By Callum Ludwig and Jamie Padgett
One Woori Yallock Primary School student was without a doubt the most popular kid in school on Wednesday 26 June as she sported a new look for a cause close to her heart.
Grade Four Alyssa shaved off all her hair in front of the school for the World’s Greatest Shave in support of her auntie Carly Prowse.
Alyssa said she wasn’t even nervous about shaving off her hair.
“I feel like I’m going to be very happy once it’s done,” she said.
“My auntie said it made her feel very happy and special.”
Alyssa’s family were in attendance as well as a large crowd of students to cheer her on as she lost her locks, with a few tears even shed by her mum Emily Ressom.
Ms Ressom said she was extremely proud of Alyssa.
“I’ve been emotional all day, she said it’s something that she really wanted to do and I didn’t think she was going to do it, I thought that she would chicken out but she’s taken it on really well today,” she said.
Carly Prowse also attended and said she couldn’t believe how brave Alyssa is.
“The courage it takes, so I’m super proud and I think she’s incredible, so incredible for doing something like this,” she said.
“I was blown away that a child would do something like this and it really suits her as well, she looks really good.”
Raucous cheers filled the hall as one-by-one hairdresser Marnie cut off the pre-prepared plaits in Alyssa’s hair. Then the razor came out and the new cut was soon complete, with students and friends flocking to get a look and give Alyssa a well-earned high-five.
Before the haircut, Alyssa also read out some of her answers to some questions she was asked about why she wanted to support the World’s Greatest Shave.
“Many people can raise money and awareness about people who have cancer, people can shave their head and other people can come to watch so it’s a fun way to help,” she said.
“Last year I saw someone give a speech at a school assembly to raise money to help sick kids with the Make A Wish foundation and I thought it would be very good to talk to the whole school,”
“I was so happy to see all the students help to make stuff to sell and they had a lot of fun doing it so I wanted to do something to help my auntie Carly.”
As of 18 June, Alyssa had raised $2059 and by the time she shaved it all off, she had raised over $3000. Woori Yallock Primary School also held a Wear Pink Day in support of breast cancer research on the day.
Principal Oliver Thockloth said the school was also really proud that Alyssa was doing this for her auntie.
“I think it shows how much courage that she’s got and how much the kids really appreciate what she’s doing for her auntie,” he said,
“I really love these events because it makes the school be more than a school, it’s all about bringing the community in to do something that’s really special.”
