Movember Comes to Talawanda
Team MOhio’s informational flyer is posted around the high school. (Photo by Lauren Flum)
Through the month of November, you may start to notice teachers at Talawanda growing out some exquisite moustaches.
This is because of Movember. Men start out clean-shaven on November 1st and grow a moustache, or “Mo” for 30 days, getting family and friends to donate to their efforts.
“Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November,” stated the Movember website. “Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.”
Women are encouraged to participate by creating teams and raising money. They are known as Mo Sistas. History teacher Stephanie Aerni is very excited for her husband, Matt Aerni, for creating a team. “I am very proud of him that he is doing something for a charity. If I could grow a moustache as well, I would.”
This year, the Movember campaign partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the LIVESTRONG Foundation to fund research on these disease treatments and other support programs for men.
Last year, Movember raised over 15 million dollars in the United States alone. This year, 21 countries will participate in the campaigns.
Teachers at Talawanda have many reasons for joining the MOhio team and raising money other than it being for a good cause.
Mr. Mattox and his moustache growth. (Photo by Lauren Flum)
Mr. Silberstein shows off his freshly groomed moustache. (Photo by Lauren Flum)
Science teacher Ben Mattox recently had a patch taken out of his cheek that was potentially cancerous, and that experience was a huge motivation for joining the team. “It was a pretty scary experience, but luckily everything was okay,” said Mattox.
The team MOhio has many different goals for their moustaches. Spanish teacher Nathaniel Silberstein is looking for “fullness and style,” while Mattox is just hoping to keep the moustache hair out of his mouth.
“I absolutely hate that feeling.” said Mattox.
Mr. Kelly hasn’t been clean-shaven in years. (Photo from Kelly’s Movember page)
History teacher Heath Kelly said he is going for some sort of inspiration, such as Teddy Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, or Borat. He said he has a personal motivation to participate in Movember.
“My father suffers from male cancer,” Kelly said, “which was a big motivation for me joining the team.”
To donate, join, or check up on the progress of Talawanda’s team, MOhio, visit their profile on the Movember website.
