Walt Whitman’s Robotics club continues to rise to the occasion as they raise donations for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Starting as a high school club community fundraiser in 2007, the Robocats have expanded their outreach from Walt Whitman participants to district-wide involvement, encouraging the community to work together to conquer childhood cancers.

From 3 to 6PM on Tuesday, March 11th, Walt Whitman High School was abuzz with the sound of electric hair clippers shaving the heads of volunteers of all ages and all hair lengths - students, teachers, parents - ready to lose their locks and give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. 

Robocats advisor, Mr. Jamie Rogers, launched the event almost 20 years ago as a community service for the Robotics club.  He’s thrilled to see how much it’s grown over the years and says a lot of the credit goes to our teachers.  “They almost sell their head to the highest bidder for the kids to actually shave it. So they get more money that way,” explained Mr. Rogers.

That’s what Birchwood teacher Matt Williams did.  He was a team captain.  He’s participated before but this was the first year he did a full buzz cut.  He let several of his students shave his head and he had no regrets.  “I wanted to show the kids that when you do something for the good, for the right cause, it’s worth it. And just to lead by example for them. Whatever way we can get them involved,” said Mr. Williams.

What started out as a friendly dare in a bar on St. Patrick’s Day in 1999 among friends - would you shave your head to raise money for pediatric cancer research? - has turned into an annual spectacle that has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.  The Foundation provides research grants, scholar awards, and lots of institutional support for local facilities to treat more young patients. 

This year, the Robocats were able to raise more than $21,000 thanks to the collective effort from across the district.  

We appreciate everyone who donated, fundraised and came down to the high school for a fresh shave. Thank you to Mr. Rogers and Mr. Pineda for organizing another successful event and to everyone who donated and shaved in support of this wonderful cause. A big thank you goes out to stylists from Illuzienz for donating their time to cut, shave, and keep the event – and our participants’ heads – running smoothly!

News 12 Long Island link to St. Baldrick's story

Photo Gallery

Stylists from Illuzienz helped give participants some clean cuts.

Participants who have been shaving their heads for at least seven years are knighted by teacher and event organizer, Mr. Rogers.

Mr. Williams from Birchwood had his head shaved by more than one of his students.

This Stimson middle schooler was one of a number of girls to join the cause by shaving their heads.

Team MapleBirch, composed of students and teachers from both Maplewood and Birchwood, was awarded a special trophy for being this year’s top fundraising team.

The fundraising event at Walt Whitman High School has been nearing almost $1 million since its fruition in 2007.