Hawthorne Silberg, a seventh grader from Barrington Hills, is pictured at Studio 4 Hair Salon in Barrington before his long locks were cut. Hawthorne said he kept growing out his hair as a donation to the nonprofit Children With Hair Loss. (Catherine Klima)

Original Article by Kimberly Albrecht Pioneer Press

Long hair on boys often was seen as rebellious back in the ‘60s. But these days, boys and men alike grow their hair long for everything, from simple self-expression to team unity.

But what if all of that long hair also can be used to help others?

“I’ve always had long hair, but donating it was always in the back of my mind,” said Hawthorne Silberg, of Barrington Hills.

Hawthorne, who is a seventh grader at Station Middle School in Barrington and the son of Catherine Klima and Thomas Silberg, recently donated a “mountain of hair” to Children With Hair Loss, a nonprofit that makes and distributes free wigs to children with cancer and other conditions that create hair loss, Catherine Klima said.

Hawthorne began his hair raising and razing experience a year-and-a-half ago before a hockey camp started in Minnesota. Hawthorne then heard about children who experience the loss of hair and was moved to do something positive.

“It would be difficult to have a disease that can change your life. … I wanted to contribute,” he said.

Of course, good deeds often come with challenges of their own.

“People would ask, ‘Why do you have long hair?’ And mistake me for a girl,” Hawthorne said.

At first, he said the comments were annoying, but by the end, Hawthorne “just stopped correcting people.”

During school days, girls used to braid his hair into one big braid. His long hair also came in handy for a comedic scene during the recent “Addams Family” musical at Station Middle School.

“I like that he looked unique with the hair … and I believed in the end goal,” Catherine added.

The two also were proud that their pastor and Hawthorne’s school counselor praised him for his courage and generosity.

Hawthorne’s hair eventually was cut at Studio 4 Hair Salon in Barrington.

“They cut for free if you donate hair,” Catherine noted.

His donated ponytails ranged from 8 to 12 inches, and the stylists seemed thrilled with his tresses.

“He had very pretty hair,” Catherine said. “All of the stylists wanted to come over and touch it!”

Besides playing hockey, Hawthorne keeps busy playing hand bells at the Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Barrington, enjoys origami and his dog, and “hanging out” with big brothers Hamilton and Truman, he said.

He is in the dual-language Chinese immersion program at school and plans to study Chinese culture. But he is undecided about growing out and donating his hair again. He said he enjoys his new short cut.

“I do miss (the hair). … It’s certainly different now!” he laughed.

Catherine added, “I’m hoping this will encourage others to donate their hair.”

Keep up that caring spirit, Hawthorne!

Kimberly Albrecht is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press. Contact her at kimproductions@sbcglobal.net.