It is nearly indisputable that Spanish teacher Sr. Jason Hank (maybe only rivaled by Sr. Leiden) had the most luscious locks in all of Beaver Area’s faculty, but after three years of growing out his magnificent mane, Sr. Hank called it quits last week and decided to cut his hair and donate it to Locks of Love.

Sr. Hank decided to grow out his hair three years ago because he had done it before and he liked it—but he also was motivated for a more noble reason: the wife of a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer around the same time he had thought about growing out his hair. His friend was originally going to shave his own head to coincide with he wife’s treatment-induced hair loss, but instead he and Sr. Hank decided to let their hair grow until she could do likewise, a beautiful sentiment.

“I liked [long hair], and I wanted to keep it going, but now it’s getting a little bit annoying; it just takes too long in the shower, and I’m back to swimming and so it’s just a hassle. I knew I wanted to donate because the more I read [about Locks of Love], it’s for self-esteem for kids, and it’s a good charity,” explained Sr. Hank.

Locks of Love is a charity which provides hairpieces to disadvantaged children who lose their hair due to cancer treatments or other medical circumstances.

So with his willing wife wielding the scissors, the decision was made: cut.

The hair that once defined him may be gone, and his students will miss it greatly, but this doesn’t detract from his impressive teaching ability.

“Mr. Hank looks like a whole new person; Mrs. Hank did a real bang-up job,” exclaimed senior and Spanish club president, Brandon Scheffler.

Visit locksoflove.org to find out how you can donate your hair.