THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503220039
SECTION: REAL LIFE PAGE: K4 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: BY VICKI LEWIS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
MONDAY AT Norfolk's Bowling Park Elementary School is more than just the beginning of a new school week.
Monday is ``Haircut Day.''
Along with reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic, many of the boys at Bowling Park are getting a little taken off the top.
Each Monday, longtime Norfolk barber Al Hunter sets up shop in a side room off of the principal's office and cuts boys' hair for free. Some Mondays, he'll do as many as 25 haircuts.
``The kids are really excited about it,'' said Dr. Herman D. Clark, principal of Bowling Park for the past 13 years. ``It's something they really look forward to.''
Hunter has been cutting hair at the school off and on since the late '80s, but recently he has begun coming in every Monday.
Clark said that Hunter, who has been his barber for many years, wanted to know what he could do to help the children at Bowling Park.
``Most of our children are without some of the basic necessities,'' Clark said. That includes someone with the time and money to take them to the barbershop.
Before a child can get a haircut at the school, however, a parent or guardian must give permission.
At first, Hunter concentrated on the neediest children, ``but now I find myself doing anyone who needs a haircut.'' he said. ``They just tell me what they want, and I do it.''
The most often requested cut: ``the fade.''
Hunter cuts only the boys' hair. He said he wishes they ``could get a hair stylist for the little girls.''
He also would like to see other barbers get involved.
``I've been trying to encourage a few,'' he said. ``Maybe they just don't have the time.''
Hunter, 42, has cut hair professionally since 1976, but he has cut for his friends and family since he was 14. His late stepfather was a part-time barber, and Hunter said there were always clippers around the house.
Born and raised in Norfolk, Hunter graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended the old Jenken's Barber College in Norfolk.
``I've cut hair all over Norfolk,'' he said. ``I have a very strong clientele made up of some very faithful customers.''
For the past three years, Hunter has worked at 3510 Colley Ave., which is now the Turning Heads Salon, owned by Deneen Ford. Before that, the shop was called Sheer Magic.
Hunter's involvement with Bowling Park Elementary doesn't stop with the haircuts.
``He has gone out and bought clothing for the kids,'' Clark said.
Also, Hunter's wife, Penny, put hundreds of hours in at the school as a volunteer before being offered a paid position as a teacher's aide.
The Hunters, who live in Broadcreek, have three children: Dominic, 20, Latrece, 19, and Jeremy, 8. They also have a new grandson, Quincy.
Giving the children free haircuts is more than just about looking good, Hunter said.
``It helps the kids' self-esteem,'' he said. ``It just makes them feel so much better about themselves.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
JIM WALKER/Staff
Al Hunter gives Chris Hollowell a trim at Bowling Park Elementary in
Norfolk. Hunter, a professional barber, volunteers at the school.
by CNB