Leaves changing, Thanksgiving, and the ever so prevalent sprouting of prepubescent facial hair. Yes, November is certainly here.
The tradition of “No Shave November” in which boys take a break from shaving facial hair for the entire month, has come to CHS again this year with a host of participants.
The tradition started in colleges as a way to fundraise for charities, but it quickly spread, spurring up participants from all over with its friendly competition and warm, fuzzy fun.
“I don’t have to worry about shaving, [my beard] provides warmth in the winter, and all the ladies love it,” sophomore Nadim Elhage said.
Many CHS students have the spirit of competition during the tradition, like sophomores Nathan Smith and Alex Dourian, battling for length, fullness and overall good lookingness of their manly man-beards. Specific guidelines are set and judges decide which beards are the best based on predetermined standards at the end of the month.
“I ate a lot of lean protein rich meat to ensure a full and glorious beard [in the upcoming competition],” Smith said.
While No Shave November is a fun and time honored tradition for some, many, like freshman Erik Rigaux, find themselves sad over not being able to participate because their lack of beard growing talent.
According to Rigaux, he feels left out because of the competition and would participate if he did not, “grow facial hair like a girl.”
“No Shave November” is a spirited act of manliness like beef jerky, power tools or a secret liking of Miley Cyrus. The fresh unusual facial hair sits like a stamp of man upon the sculpted jaw of boys. Those not participating due to embarrassment or not wanting to look like a bearded fiend are subjected to various feminine insults.
“I got [beard growing talent] from a hairy, manly dad. And now it’s all about displaying manhood to others,” said Dourian.
Nevertheless, No Shave November gives men a perfect excuse to forgo shaving for a full four weeks. It provides competition-seeking mountain men with a month of glory even if it leaves some feeling as left out as the last pick in a 5th grade gym dodgeball game.
