Features Reporter
It’s November and the race is on for the most audacious facial hair. Men everywhere, and some supportive ladies, are growing out their hair this month to both raise awareness about men’s health and for the pure enjoyment of it.
Cody Cooper, a local beard enthusiast, is known by many for his lush whiskers. Cooper’s success is because of his well kept secret.
“Fortitude, you have to want it,” Cooper said. “You have to tell yourself every morning, ‘it is going to grow thicker.’”
Cooper doesn’t necessarily participate only in No-Shave November because he keeps his beard year round. With a beard so manly, it’s possible that Cooper sets one of the highest standards in this month’s festivities.
“There are a lot of men who can’t grow facial hair. I do it for them,” Cooper said.
Cooper delights in growing what only some men can and cares for his masculine mane. In addition to looking great his beard often keeps him from being carded and is a great accessory to many Halloween costumes.
CMU student Eric Reichardt also takes pride in his facial hair. He and a couple of his buddies have signed up as a team on movember.com to try and win tickets to a concert. The men with the most valiant moustaches win.
“Moustaches for life,” Reichardt said.
Movember.com is an organization that raises awareness about men’s health. They are linked to other organizations such as the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Livestrong. The site encourages “mo bros” to take a stand with their facial hair and “mo sistas” to be supportive. “Face grown, hand brushed” is their motto and they live it courageously during the 30 days of November with their moustache contests like the one Reichardt is participating in.
Not everyone participates to raise awareness. Many do it just for the fun of it. CMU student Connor Weik is one of these individuals.
“It’s tradition, it’s necessary,” Weik said. “Everyone I can think of is doing it.”
Bryce Raber is another participant who takes No Shave November serious. The next 30 days will take a lot of commitment for him and many others involved in No Shave November, also known as “Novem-Beard”
“Growing a beard is like marrying a woman,” Raber said. “It takes commitment.”
Some women have also joined the effort and have decided not to shave this November insisting that razors are expensive. Only a week into November and already beards everywhere are coming in with abundance.
bmmartin@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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