As many students have noticed many male staff members around campus such as principal John Pehrson, assistant principal Kris Linville and assistant principal Jeff Hernandez have stopped shaving their facial hair. This is no coincidence, as part of Movember many male staff members have chosen to abstain from shaving for the month of November. No Shave November, or Movember, is a foundation that brings awareness to men’s health issues.

In addition to Pehrson, Linville and Hernandez other staff members that are participating in Movember are Ben Kessler, Cale Kavanaugh, Jim Welker, Lewis Delahunty and John Olivares.

“I decided to be part of the team at Portola that wants to raise awareness for men’s health issues by growing facial hair,” Hernandez said. “I had not shaved off my goatee in over three years, so it was different to finally see my face!”

The Movember Foundation is focused on men’s health problems such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. At the beginning of the month, participants shave their faces clean and do not shave until the month is over.

“I think I became interested in Movember about five years ago when I worked at the district office. I have horrible facial hair, and I’m usually clean shaven, and a few of us decided to grow beards for fun,” Linville said. “I was shocked at how many people commented on my facial hair. It was such a great way to bring awareness to men’s health issues through conversations.”

Another part of No Shave November for the participants is advocating for the issues that they are supporting by shaving their facial hair. The facial hair serves as a conversation starter for participants, which helps them spread awareness of the reason they have chosen not to shave.

“In my experience, men have a hard time admitting that there might be something going on with them. This machismo attitude can often deter them from seeing a doctor until the issue is much worse than it should be,” Pehrson said.