As October slides into November, it is clear to all that Walter Ray missed the season by about a month and a half. With talk of elections and turkeys in the air, late fall marks a period of voting, eating, and growing. As a handful of mournful vegans will force their eyes away from the turkey, so countless Americans will attempt to keep from glancing at their alluring bottles of shaving cream. In a world of dark mornings and auburn leaves, men (and a few brave women) forego the razor and let their hair grow free, partaking in the country-wide craze most commonly known as No Shave November.

Some parents and authorityfigures condemn the ritual, cringing at the transformed faces and viewing contributors as vagabonds who find pleasure in an excess of scruffy hair. However, most participants ignore these criticizers.

“Those who can grow a beard, grow one,” said Caleb Raible-Clark. “I’m fo sho doing it. It emphasizes my inner masculinity.”

However unusual it may seem, a few girls have put stereotypes and double standards aside and joined in the furry fest. As the Seattle air grows chilly and the rain begins to pour, skirts and shorts are buried under heaps of jeans and other winter wear. With busy schedules and hurried showers, shaving seems an unnecessary hassle.

Luckily, females can forget the jeering and snide comments; No Shave November is as good of an excuse as any.

“I don’t shave my legs in November, anyway,” said an anonymous ‘010 girl, too shy to come out to the public as an active participant. “Hopefully my grades don’t suffer, as I won’t be raising my hand in class much.”

Self-assurance and laziness are not the only reasons to go bristly. Across America, students are pledging and collecting donations for charity; instead of running or walking laps, they participate in a No Shave marathon.

Schools in Colorado are turning No Shave November into a true aid organization, as they have stopped shaving as a rally against domestic violence. They are currently putting down the razor and gathering money, and have already raised a substantial amount of funds to go toward safer homes and better education for all.

Although the response to this trend is usually positive, there are a few critics who disapprove of the tradition.

“I’m against No Shave November because it excludes certain groups of kids,” said James Squires, a nonconformer. ”Those who are incapable of growing anything more than peach fuzz are unable to participate, i.e. the classes of 2011 and 2012. This is unfair and leads to widespread cyber bullying.”

Squires’ point was proven by a Garfield freshman, confused at the concept of the shaggy ceremony.

“Not shaving?” he asked. “Doesn’t make a difference for me.”

Riley Mulherkar voices the fears that come along side this challenging mission.

“I was going to do it, but it hasn’t been a week yet and I’ve grown more hair than ever imaginable,” he said, voice quivering. “I’m afraid my face will become invisible if I go another week and girls won’t talk to me, so I’m going to convert it into a chinstrap.”

Mulherkar also reminds fellow students of the array of exhilarating options to choose from.

“I have my mind set on No Deodorant December and No Shower September,” he said proudly.

While many view the month as a personal conquest, a few confident men take pride in the competitive aspect.

“I’m not doing No Shave November,” said Andrew McNutt, smiling through his luscious red beard. “I’ve already won.”

Others enjoy the month but opt out of participating due to unfortunate personal issues.

“I probably won’t do it,” said Eric Syrjala. “I get a gross mexistache.”