Staff at Prince Rupert Middle School (PRMS) put their pride aside to raise money for cancer research.
PRMS hosted the Terry Fox Challenge on Oct. 8, when students witnessed teachers do a variety of hilarious acts after they surpassed the school's fundraising goal for the Terry Fox Foundation.
Teacher Will Barrow and fellow PRMS staff members agreed to make a challenge out of the school's annual canvassing this year. Barrow said they were following in Terry Fox's footsteps by promising to do something to motivate people to collect as much money as possible.
Students at the middle school raised $670 last year, and were challenged to raise $1,500 this year.
However, students surpassed the goal, collecting $2,680.59 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
"I am so impressed with the fundraising efforts. It goes to show with a little teacher encouragement we can do almost anything," said Barrow, who has organized the school's Terry Fox Run for three years.
Prior to fundraising, students were told if they met the goal, teachers would volunteer to perform entertaining tasks including dressing up in silly costumes, getting makeovers from students, getting whip cream in the face, kissing a dead fish and getting hair removed, whether it be by wax or head shaving.
Grade 7 students Kobi Franes and Eric Leask were ecstatic following the celebration. Both Franes and Leask said they enjoyed watching PRMS Principal Ken Minette and teacher Mike Makey get their heads shaved, and Rod Hikida get a mohawk.
"It was pretty cool. I got to shave my dad's head," Leask, who is Minette's son, said.
"It was pretty funny," Franes added.
Leask applauded teachers for their courage, and for encouraging students to believe in themselves.
"I think they're pretty brave ... they really think if we have a dream, like Terry Fox, that we should do it and just keep going with it," he said.