Manvember is one of the most recent inventions to celebrate men, along with Dirt Week and beach season. Guys don’t shave for a whole month to celebrate sports or to just go along with other scruffy friends.

            “It’s an easy month. All I have to do is not shave,” said junior Justin Johnson, who participates with a few of the football players. Many football players partake in this month because they think it’s good luck to not shave during playoffs.

            Manvember is a tough month for younger students to participate in. Some young men have trouble growing facial hair; until they’re about juniors, because many don’t even shave regularly because they have no beard.

            But having a beard isn’t the only rule to participate. According to urbandictionary.com, to participate during this month you must “Remain unshaven, except for the head… ‘cause that’s manly. Flannel shirts will be worn as frequently as possible. Tobacco products will be on hand at all times, and you MUST eat meat at least twice a day.”

             “My dad follows all these rules along with me,” said Johnson. Johnson and his Dad both share the love of being die-hard UMD football fans and haven’t missed a game all season.

            Some of our own teams and teachers follow this month to show their own manliness. For the soccer team, this is a big month because they had a school record season, reaching regional’s and were so close to going to states.

            To raise motivation, they have taken upon themselves to participate in Manvember warding off a loss in the playoffs. “It’s our own good luck,” said junior Mason Mignogna.

            “It works well with the team because the coach [Gilmore] never shaves anyways,” said Mignogna, who was one of the many participants on the team. The players right now will do anything to help keep themselves motivated. Since this is the farthest they have ever made it in school history, some like to thank the beard.

            Students are starting to adopt this month as a personal, month-long holiday for themselves. “If we win states, I’ll never shave it,” said Mignogna. Even with a baby peach-fuzz face, anyone can enjoy the fun.