Don’t be surprised if dictionaries at École John Wilson Elementary School soon have a picture of Grade 2 student Rowan Jacques tucked in beside the word “amazing.”
Rowan, 7, followed through on her promise Dec. 2 to shave her head for the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta’s “Shave Your Lid for a Kid” following four weeks of fundraising. She wanted to do it in the same place she had announced her plan on Oct. 27 – in front of friends, fellow students and staff at an ÉJWES special assembly.
Prior to the head shaving, students sat in awe while watching a movie about the work of the Kids Cancer Care Foundation.
ÉJWES principal Jackie Taylor then took time to thank Jacques, students, staff, parents and the Innisfail community at large for their support. That support, including $2,584 raised by the students through projects and $1,000 by staff on a challenge by vice-principal Donald Teplyske, allowed Jacques to obliterate her fundraising goal of $2,500 to the tune of $10,211.
“Even the littlest people can make a difference,” Taylor said prior to handing the microphone to Lanis Leslie, a cancer survivor and a parent of an ÉJWES student.
“What Rowan’s doing today is unbelievable,” Leslie said, before turning and looking at Jacques. “You’re special.”
Rowan and fellow “shavees” ÉJWES students Kyler Epp, Calyb Cretney and Connor Dickson as well as École Innisfail Jr./Sr. High School student Jenetta Rutherford then took their place on the stage.
As the last strands of Jacques’ hair were shaved off, those in attendance broke into a loud chorus of applause. The five shavees then donned colourful knit tuques donated by the Women’s Ministry at the Parkland Community Church.
Teplyske then took the stage to have his head shaved. He had challenged staff to raise $500 for the cause, which they doubled – raising $1,000.
Tara said she was in awe following the event.
“I can’t even put it into words … she’s an amazing kid,” she said of her daughter’s accomplishment. “If this is what she’s doing when she’s seven, what will she be doing when she’s 17 … and 27?”
Rowan said she felt “awesome.”
“I’m just very thankful,” she said. “I feel just awesome inside.”
