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Chemainus student cuts hair, helps raise $5K in memory of late teacher

Ryza Marston remembers her late Grade 5 teacher Ms. Williams as being a funny, caring and devoted role model whose passion for education lit up a room.
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Ashley Marston Photo Ryza Marston holds up two pony tails that were cut off in the the gymnasium of the Chemainus Elementary Community School on Friday morning by older sister Marlin and friend Cooper. Students and a Ladysmith business raised $5,000 in memory of late teacher Jane Williams who passed away in January after a battle with cancer.

Ryza Marston remembers her late Grade 5 teacher Ms. Williams as being a funny, caring and devoted role model whose passion for education lit up a room.

“She was understanding and she was funny and even if she was reading a book to someone you really got her personality,” she said.

Jane Williams passed away in January at the age of 48 after a battle with cancer and had taught at Chemainus Elementary Community School for 15 years.

The 10-year-old Marston was determined to carry on her beloved teacher’s dream of building a natural playground for the school and decided to raise money by cutting her hair.

“She was a great person because she was so nice to everyone. She was one of the nicest teachers I’ve ever had,” she said.

“I felt like we really had a bond because we would joke around with each other.”

Marston’s mother suggested she cut her chestnut brown hair in honour of Ms. Williams and they hatched a plan to get the rest of the students at Chemainus Elementary involved.

“We thought how can we get people interested in it and thought about holding a contest so whoever raises the most money gets to cut my hair,” Marston said.

The girl had been growing her hair, which reached near her hip, for as long as she can remember.

A little more than 16 inches was cut off by her sister Marlin and friend Cooper, who raised the most money.

Altogether the school raised close to $5,000, including a $1,000 donation from Umbrella Welding and Mechanics in Ladysmith.

Owner Nathan Zwiers said he has young children and empathized with the effort being put forward.

“We like to give back to the community wherever we can and it seemed like a good cause,” he said.

Marston said her friend Cooper also spent a lot of his time over March Break raising funds.

“Cooper had a bake sale and he had a lemonade stand and he did some car washing,” Marston said. “Marlin and I we just went around to our family and friends and posted on Facebook that we’re raising money.”

She was also proud of everyone at the school who stepped up to contribute.

“That’s the main reason I was so passionate about. It was because I felt like I was going to be helping someone,” she said.

“The whole time everyone was like why are you cutting your hair? But I was like yes you’re right but I’m helping.”

Mom Stacy said her daughter had the confidence to put others before herself.

“A lot of kids get caught up in social media and what everybody looks like and I just thought this was a great way to show to just let stuff go and help people,” she said.

Marston’s hair will be sent to Pantene Beautiful Lengths in Mississauga, Ont., and made into a wig before it’s returned to the Canadian Cancer Society in Nanaimo.

Marston’s advice to other youth who might be timid about cutting their own hair for a good cause ?

“I feel like they should definitely do it,” she said. “One of the things things that made me feel like I could do it was because it will grow back. It will also help someone who is their age or even older.”

Principal Brenda Stevenson called Marston’s efforts “heartwarming” and said it has inspired other students.

“The children are impacted by it. They recognized what was happening and for whom they were doing the fundraising for,” she said.

“There was just a really powerful sense of coming together with the kids and with the families present - it was one of those moments as a school that will be remembered fondly for quite some time.”





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