The Head-shaving of Ed Barnett: Campion Academy Wins His Hair and More Students

It was more than a year ago when Campion Academy looked at its viability as a serious contributor to Adventist education and designed an increased enrollment program. More recently, Ed Barnett, president of Rocky Mountain Conference and Campion Academy's board chairman, stepped in with a personal pledge.  
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During a conversation between Barnett and recruiter Jessica Rios at the Wyoming Camp Meeting in July about enrollment projections for the academy, Barnett promised he would get his head shaved if the marketing delivered at least 150 students for the new academic year. When Barnett suggested that Rios shave her head if she failed to meet the goal of 150, Rios agreed. 

​It was a deal Ed Barnett struck with Jessica, and lost! 
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The deal helped Jessica “to be more intentional in the recruiting because I wasn’t going to get my hair shaved,” she commented.
 
“My hair will grow back,” said Ed Barnett, “but I am thrilled to see Campion bouncing back, too, and doing it so seriously. Kudos to all involved,” he added.

His promise was personal and his word went around the Conference. On the last day of summer, September 21, in the presence of the entire student body, faculty and staff, the deed was done.
 
There was no end to the cheering and applause. Selfies were taken with the willing victim, and haircut variations were attempted. Delight shot across Jessica’s face as she shaved Ed Barnett’s head with a “Reeder hair option” (a near-bald look) and transformed his thick, curly gray hair into a becoming new hair style. Donna Reeder, who regularly cuts hair for her husband, Don, principal of Campion Academy, delivered the final cut.
 
With his curls falling down, Ed Barnett commented: “I'm glad I can't see what it looks like. I'm not a bit sorry.”
 
“It was a pretty good bet. He's definitely down to earth about it,” said Faith Paden, a sophomore watching the event.
 
Raelynn Kelley, senior, said in a straight-forward manner: “He looks good with or without hair.”
 
“From the front it's not that bad,” commented Nati Joya, junior. “It's not too bad. It's not my style though!” added Joe Philpott, sophomore.
 
“Our enrollment was declining and we had to do something about it. Careful strategic planning and the motto, “To know Him – to show Him,” went to the core of the school’s spirituality. We knew that God is leading our 109-year old school as we lift up Christ. We added our creativity, focused on spirituality and mission, and intentional marketing to keep us on track,” explained Donavan Reeder, principal.
 
The school’s enrollment in 2014 bottomed with 128 students, then in 2015, increased slightly to 135. Today, the school has gone beyond the goal of 145, reaching 155 students for the current school year on the Loveland campus.
 
Text and photos by Rajmund Dabrowski, RMC Communications Director