Every November, men (and sometimes women) take part in the tradition commonly known as No-Shave November. Participants shave on the first day of the month, then are not allowed to shave, trim or wax for the rest of the month. The North Wind is documenting the facial hair growth of five NMU men with one photo every week.
Josh Santiago – resident director, Magers Hall
Q: How are people reacting to your participation in No-Shave November?
A: “It depends. Some people have been like, ‘What are you doing and why are you doing that?’ And the best is other reactions that are like, ‘Yeah, No-Shave November!’ And they get super excited.”
Q: Why did you decide to participate in No-Shave November this year?
A: “It seems to be something a lot of residents did and I thought it be a pretty good bonding experience.”
Q: How was your overall experience participating in No-Shave November?
A: “Overall, itchy and you just feel dirty. I’m ready for it to be done.”
Q: Do you plan on shaving right away?
A: “I’m going to trim it up and make it at least presentable.”
Q: Would you do it again?
A: “Oh yeah.”
Michael Carroll – junior, English
Q: How are people reacting to your participation in No-Shave November?
A: “A lot of people say they like it, then a lot of people tell me I look like a meth addict. It’s kind of a joke with my residents and when I see other people they’re usually like, ‘Oh, wow. It looks different. I like it.’”
Q: Why did you decide to participate in No-Shave November this year?
A: “I’m an RA and I have residents that were like, ‘You should do it,’ and they basically guilted me into it.”
Q: How was your overall experience participating in No-Shave November?
A: “It was different. I’ve never grown my beard out so it was interesting to see how it actually looks. It was something new.”
Q: Do you plan on shaving right away?
A: “I’m definitely going to trim it down and clean it up.”
Q: Would you do it again?
A: “Maybe.”
Eric Creel – freshman, outdoor recreation
Q: How are people reacting to your participation in No-Shave November?
A: “I’ve had a beard for like over a year so I think they reacted more to when I shaved it off.”
Q: Why did you decide to participate in No-Shave November this year?
A: “I’ve had a beard for over a year now and didn’t remember what I looked like without it, so Oct. 31 seemed like a good time to find out.”
Q: How was your overall experience participating in No-Shave November?
A: “It was fine at the beginning, but it started getting itchy and started getting a little unattractive.”
Q: Do you plan on shaving right away?
A: “Yes, or trimming it.”
Q: Would you do it again?
A: “Probably not.”
Kellen Michalak – sophomore, business
Q: How are people reacting to your participation in No-Shave November?
A: “People know me for having a beard in general so they’re kind of surprised it’s not longer. I usually keep it clean and fresh, so the whole neck beard and patches get mixed feelings.
Q: Why did you decide to participate in No-Shave November this year?
A: “The weather’s getting cold, and you’ve got to be warm for the winter.”
Q: How was your overall experience participating in No-Shave November?
A: “I enjoyed it. It’s something you can only do once a year, so it was an experience.”
Q: Do you plan on shaving right away?
A: “Not all of it, but I’m going to make sure it looks nice.”
Q: Would you do it again?
A: “Yes.”
James Dyer – junior, English writing
Q: How are people reacting to your participation in No-Shave November?
A: “Everyone’s excited to get beard rubs again. My girlfriend and my grandma want me to shave it. My grandma said I look like a homeless person.”
Q: Why did you decide to participate in No-Shave November this year?
A: “It gets really cold in the winter, and having a beard is a lifestyle.”
Q: How was your overall experience participating in No-Shave November?
A: “It was hairy and wonderful. I plan on keeping my beard for as long as possible.”
Q: Do you plan on shaving right away?
A: “Heck no, facial hair is sexy.”
Q: Would you do it again?
A: “Yes.”
