DEXTER, Maine — Normally, wearing a cap inside Dexter Regional High School will earn you a reprimand from a teacher or an unplanned trip to the principal’s office.
But that wasn’t the case last Friday, the first “official” day of spring.
Everyone was encouraged to wear some kind of headgear in honor of senior Logan Bagley of Harmony, who is waging a brave battle against Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“He’s a friend to all of us, and we want to show him how much we support him,” said Shelby Nickerson, president of the Key Club, a student-based service organization supported by the Dexter Sunrise Kiwanis. “Between businesses, organizations and other schools, ‘Hats for Logan’ has well over 100 participants.”
Students, teachers and visitors were encouraged to put on a hat and pose for a picture taken by Darling’s Automotive Group photographer Gary “Joe” Bellefleur.
“We donate a dollar for every person in a photo,” Bellefleur said. “But we’ll donate at least $500, even if we don’t get that many participants.”
The computerized camera was snapping away steadily in the school hallway as students wore joker’s hats, sombreros, firefighter’s caps, silver top hats, king’s crowns, military helmets and an assortment of other headgear.
Logan was coaxed into posing with many of them. “I feel good today,” he said with a smile. “I’ve got treatments next week in Portland and Boston, so I’m going to be busy. But I certainly have a lot of wonderful friends.”
Wristbands that read “No one fights alone” also were hot sellers at the Key Club table, but many visitors simply tucked money into the donation jar.
All funds raised will help the Bagley family’s mounting lodging and transportation expenses during Logan’s hospital visits. Eventually, he will need to have a stem cell transplant.
Key Club adviser and DHRS teacher Rick Whitney said this is the fourth time in the last 15 years the school has raised funds for a student stricken with cancer.
“In past years, we’ve raised anywhere from $2,500 to $6,400. Our goal this time is $4,000, and I’m pretty confident we’ll reach it,” Whitney said.
Valentin Nekrasov, one of the event co-chairs, said several other schools — including Madison Memorial High School, Foxcroft Academy, Nokomis Regional High School and Hermon High School — were contributing to the cause. “Logan also belongs to the Harmony Fire Department, so we have other departments raising funds as well. This is a really a community-wide effort,” Nekrasov said.
While the hats are tucked away for the time being, donations can still be made to assist Logan Bagley and his family.
Checks should be made out to DRHS Logan Bagley Fund and can be dropped off at the school or mailed to 175 Fern Rd., Dexter, Me. 04930-2604.