CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students head back to class Monday morning, and it marks the start of a fresh school year for kids across the Carolinas.
Sunday, Power 98 FM hosted “The Big Cut ” helped to make sure students have a fresh new hairdo for the first day of school. Kids often stay busy picking out what they’re going to wear on the first day of school, but the haircut can easily feel just as important.
The fourth annual "The Big Cut" took place on Sunday afternoon at the McCrorey YMCA. It's a true community effort, and barbers from across the Charlotte area volunteered their time to give haircuts.
“We want you all to feel confident, and we want you to go back to school feeling good about yourself and knowing that there are people in this community that love you and want you to succeed,” said Ms. Jessica, co-host of Morning Maddhouse on Power 98 FM.
The event started at 2 p.m. Sunday, but there were people starting line up as early as 10 a.m.
Event organizers say it’s important for kids to be able to start off the school year on the right foot, and a fresh haircut is just one of the ways they can show these students they care.
"Everybody wants to look nice, and it gets them in the right mindset of being able to be focused on their teacher and at the same time, their assignments,” said Jeffrey Broadie, CEO of Just for You Barber/Styling Academy.
The goal was to give 175 haircuts, and at last check, they had given more than 150 haircuts. The final count hasn't been released just yet.
This event continues to grow every year, according to event organizers, and parents say it definitely helps lift a burden on what can be an expensive time of the year.
Aaliyah El-Amin brought her four sons to “The Big Cut.” She said as a working parent it’s hard to find time to get to the barber and take care of the back-to-school needs.
"It's overwhelming, it's overwhelming,” El-Amin said. “I try to get my stuff done when school ends."
She said she is thankful for events like this to take part of the burden and stress away.
“To have this option and to be somewhere where they’re having fun with peers of their own age, it’s a blessing,” El-Amin said.
El-Amin’s son D.Q. Harris, who is going into eighth grade, said he will be walking into school with a smile on his face after getting this haircut.
"I like the haircut,” Harris said. “I'm trying to pay more attention in class, and I'm trying to get better grades."