Hana Sato, Grade 12
UWC Costa Rica
Every beginning of the second semester, we have one of the most awaited school events: Bald 4 a Cause. IBDP2 students organize along the school’s extracurricular office an event in which UWC Costa Rica students cut their hair to donate it to local organizations that create hair wigs for cancer patients. Honestly, I was not too attached to my hair, I always kept it shorter than my shoulders. Adding to it, since my hair was already too short, it did not have enough length to be used as a wig. So I did not care about the meaning this event had, I thought it was simply a hair cutting session.
Sooner, I realized that other people tend to have more affection for their hair, therefore, were more scared to cut it for such long measurements for the first time in their lives. Many people wanted to get completely bald, I could not, I was too scared for such an abrupt change in appearance; in me, still, appearance was part of my presentation and a reason to be easily judged.
When the event day finally arrived, everybody was excited but also unimaginably scared. Friends were tightly holding their friends as if they were sharing the fear. My hand was being warmly holded by my Mexican friend. Second year students hold their scissors, carefully cutting the first year students' hair, whispering to them that it is alright. My already short hair was cut by my lovely Guatemalan second year and delicate Chinese roommate. After roughly cutting the hair, some other students and teachers were ready to even and arrange the hairstyle. Of course, after being cut by not professional students, sometimes it ends up in a very catastrophic situation; in such occasions we get our saviors to do their best to make our hair styles decent. For me, my Spanish teacher even my hair; the Spanish teacher who I had the impression of someone scary. He cut my hair so well that many people told me that I look much better with this new style. It made me happy.
Once the event is over, everybody is still insecure of their new appearances; some may be regretting it, some may be satisfied. Regardless of the individual feelings, there will always be only one type of comment: You look so good! We all know, hair is only a physical part of us that does not determine anything, still we are so attached to it; so, we look so good when we decide to embrace something less tangible and accept we are okay even by changing small things.
Next year, when I become a second year student, I want to be in the organizing team. I want to be one of those who support the still afraid but definitely brave newly arriving students.
UWC is truly about this. It is about collectively cheering each other's changes and determinations; sometimes by strongly holding hands, some other times by warmly hugging for achievements, or simply saying "You look so good!". These are the changes we embrace, internal and external changes, collectively celebrating them.
Sooner, I realized that other people tend to have more affection for their hair, therefore, were more scared to cut it for such long measurements for the first time in their lives. Many people wanted to get completely bald, I could not, I was too scared for such an abrupt change in appearance; in me, still, appearance was part of my presentation and a reason to be easily judged.
When the event day finally arrived, everybody was excited but also unimaginably scared. Friends were tightly holding their friends as if they were sharing the fear. My hand was being warmly holded by my Mexican friend. Second year students hold their scissors, carefully cutting the first year students' hair, whispering to them that it is alright. My already short hair was cut by my lovely Guatemalan second year and delicate Chinese roommate. After roughly cutting the hair, some other students and teachers were ready to even and arrange the hairstyle. Of course, after being cut by not professional students, sometimes it ends up in a very catastrophic situation; in such occasions we get our saviors to do their best to make our hair styles decent. For me, my Spanish teacher even my hair; the Spanish teacher who I had the impression of someone scary. He cut my hair so well that many people told me that I look much better with this new style. It made me happy.
Once the event is over, everybody is still insecure of their new appearances; some may be regretting it, some may be satisfied. Regardless of the individual feelings, there will always be only one type of comment: You look so good! We all know, hair is only a physical part of us that does not determine anything, still we are so attached to it; so, we look so good when we decide to embrace something less tangible and accept we are okay even by changing small things.
Next year, when I become a second year student, I want to be in the organizing team. I want to be one of those who support the still afraid but definitely brave newly arriving students.
UWC is truly about this. It is about collectively cheering each other's changes and determinations; sometimes by strongly holding hands, some other times by warmly hugging for achievements, or simply saying "You look so good!". These are the changes we embrace, internal and external changes, collectively celebrating them.
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