I want to honor a great former student of mine through this foundation. His name is Jose Denza, known as PePe since he was in Spanish class with me. When I met Pepe, it was not a friendly, or nice way of meeting. Pepe caught might attention because he was using bad language towards a girl nearby. I escorted Pepe to the principals office. I did not have any other encounters with Pepe until he became a student in my classroom. He let my class know that you must be careful with what you say in Ms. Baker's class. She will turn you in!! After that, we started getting to know each other and he became a wonderful student. His attendance was regular, so when he started missing my class, I became concerned. When he came back, he explained that he was receiving treatments in Charlotte for cancer. I am embarrassed to say that I thought he was making it up and using this hideous disease as an excuse. I reprimanded him for it and told him to never say that again. To my surprise, the whole class fell quiet and one student raised his hand and told me that what Pepe was telling me was true. They were all shocked to know that I did not know that because I am his teacher. After apologizing to Pepe, I became more involved with his prognosis and tried to help in anyway I could. I want to help Pepe and other children who are suffering with cancer to find a cure. Therefore, i've answered the call to be a hero! I'm having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures. Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U. S. government. Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I'm really asking you to support these kids. Thank you! Click "Make a donation" to give online, or donate by phone or mail.