Los Gatos Patch Whiz Kids of the Week—Ali Fox, Ben Clayville and BaoHan Le

• Ali Fox, 13
• Ben Clayville, 12
• BaoHan Nguyen, 12
• School: RJ Fisher Middle School
• Organization:
• Accomplishment: Ali, Ben and BaoHan stood up for kids and adults battling cancer by getting their heads shaved. Together they raised more than $11,650, funds that researchers will use to help find cures and give survivors long and healthy lives.
• Key to Awesomeness: Having participated in St. Baldrick's last year, Ali was an old hand at facing the clippers. Just when her hair had finally grown back, Ali stepped on stage to get her locks shaved once again. “I don’t really know anyone who’s had cancer, but I felt like it was my job to help,” said Ali, a seventh-grader. Thankfully her second go wasn’t as scary as the first. “It was a little less nerve racking this year because I know that I look okay bald.” In two years, Ali raised more than $5,000 for cancer research and promises to raise even more when she returns for her “St. Baldrick’s three-peat” next year.

Ben Clayville knows and cares deeply for someone who is battling cancer—his wonderful mother, Holly. Understandably Ben wants to help his mom conquer cancer. That’s why he was Fisher’s top St. Baldrick’s fundraiser this year, collecting more than $5,050 in donations. What was his secret to raking in the big bucks? “Well, I guess I just know a lot of people,” said Ben, adding that his new haircut is “pretty decent.” How does his mom feel about his new ’do? “She really likes it. We have matching haircuts.” 

Like Ben, cancer has touched the life of someone close to BaoHan Nguyen. Her former Blossom Hill Elementary classmate, Alex Solis, a boy, BaoHan describes as “really nice and positive and always saying the funniest, random things” is battling osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. After deciding to go for it, BaoHan sent an email out in the middle of the night soliciting donations. The next thing she knew she was sitting on stage in front of a barber and the entire school.  “I was scared but I knew if I backed out, people would be disappointed,” says BaoHan. “More importantly I would be disappointed in myself.” When she looked out and saw Alex’s mother and grandmother in the crowd, BaoHan gained the extra courage she needed. Afterward the sixth-grader became emotional. “With tears streaming down my face, people came up to congratulate me. Some people I didn’t know!”  Now that the shock has worn off,  BaoHan, a competitive swimmer, actually enjoys being bald. “Sometimes I miss brushing my hair but I do it anyway.” BaoHan, who raised $1600 and donated her hair to Locks of Love, “hopes Alex gets better and knows that everyone's supporting him.”