ROCHESTER — Five heads, belonging to three priests, a Bishop and a school principal were shaved in a fundraising effort that netted just under $35,000 for the St. Elizabeth Seton School.

Four heads were scheduled to be shaved as a part of the tremendously successful fundraiser. Those were for Suzanne Boutin, the school principal, Fr. Paul Gousse of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Fr. Thomas Duston of St. Mary, and Bishop Peter Libasci of the Diocese of Manchester.

To the delight of the student body and the administration, there was a surprise guest, who offered to shave his head as well. Fr. Jeff Paveglio has a long association with the students of the school. He just returned from a tour in Kuwait, serving as Army Chaplain for 197th Field Artillery Brigade of the New Hampshire Army National Guard.

Students were thrilled to see Paveglio, rushing to give him hugs when they spotted him.

"I just got back on Saturday," said Paveglio. "I was here for six months before I was deployed. I love the students and often spent time playing kickball with them at recess, and I had Mass here once a week."

Five chairs were set up in the gym, in front of the waiting student body. The kids were in a fever pitch of excitement, pounding on the floor and chanting "Shave It Off." Before the actual shaving was an appropriate song - "We're Gonna Miss It When It's Gone."

Duston, Peveglio and Gousse sat still and seemed cheerful as hairdresser Lesia Willey shaved their heads. The Bishop tried to get only the hair under his cap shaved, but the kids were having none of that.

As she watched the others, Boutin got, understandably, a little nervous. As the final head before hers was under the clippers, she took out a comb and started using it, for the last time in a while. When Willey, who is Boutin's hairdresser, got to her, she flinched playfully away a few times, and then went for it.

"I feel bald," she joked afterwards. Her students, after giving her a standing ovation rushed in, all wanting a chance to touch her newly smooth head.

Seventh grader Maya Thompson said she thinks the event is cool and being done for a good cause. Asked if she would shave her own head, she demurred by saying she was not sure her mom would like it.

"But maybe for such a good cause; I would," said Maya.

In case the newly bald volunteers had to brave the outdoors, parishioners and the staff of Holy Rosary Credit Union (who set up the account for the fundraiser) sent over nice, warm, knitted hats. One set was perfect for Super Bowl Sunday, emblazoned with the New England Patriots emblem.

"My parishioners were afraid I was going to be cold," Duston said while showing off his Patriots hat.

"I volunteered to give back to this school," said Bishop Libasci. "This is a very strong parish and they worked very hard on their fundraiser. I wanted to come to support the school and Catholic education."

The money raised through the fundraiser will be used primarily for the school's scholarship fund. Boutin said the K-8 school is a private Catholic school and is tuition based.

"We want to be able to help students who want to be here but might be prohibited by the tuition cost," said Boutin. "We are thrilled with the results of the fundraiser."

Everyone was a good sport about the loss of their hair.

"It's only hair," said Boutin. "It will grow back."