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Date Posted: 02:47:57 12/17/03 Wed
Author: the rock hard man
Subject: Re: why RYAN PETRILLO is the BEST
In reply to: Rock hard forgetful 's message, "Re: why I used the same name twice by accident" on 02:42:56 12/17/03 Wed

this is a story on us, from a deleware paper. It talks about the awesome ryan petrillo.


------



Razors are prohibited


BY Lindsay Hicks

Features Editor

While walking quietly over the creaky floorboards of Main Street's Olde Time Antiques, junior Ryan Petrillo stops to check himself out in a dusty mirror.

"I feel like I look so inappropriate," he says as he lifts a green Texas Chainsaw Massacre trucker hat from his head and strokes the whiskers of his beard.

Petrillo raises his dark eyebrows while shrugging his flannel-clad shoulders to form an awkward expression, letting out a laugh to signify the fact that he does not actually care.

Petrillo purchases an antique copy of "Weird Detectives" magazine to display in the small room of his University Courtyards apartment. With enthusiasm, he describes the future location of the magazine cover, which features the subtitle, "Weird Sex Crimes," and a cartoon image of a bearded detective reaching into a dumpster.

"This is going to go right above my shelf of serial killer books," he explains. "And next to my 'American Psycho' poster."

Have no fear. Petrillo's uniquely morbid taste in décor is only a cover-up for a more caring than frightening university student.

This outgoing and sincere 20-year-old is just like any other college guy, with a passion for pumpkin pie, Jack Daniels whiskey, antique memorabilia, bacon and music extending from hardcore punk to Mississippi blues.

Oh yeah, and there's also that beard thing he's got goin' on.

Petrillo, along with two friends, will refrain from shaving for an entire year in an effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The ability to laugh off his scruffy reflection in the mirror is a feeling this devoted student might have to get used to. Otherwise, 2004 might be a long, uncomfortable, hairy year.

"I think having a beard that long is going to be rad as hell," he says. "Especially because it will represent such a good cause."

For each day these three Haddon Heights, N.J., natives resist the temptation of a trim or shave, local and national sponsors will donate a dollar or more to the American Cancer Society.

Beards for Cancer launched Dec. 3 when Petrillo and his accomplices, childhood friends Tommy Avallone and Alex Wildman, shaved their faces clean.

Beards for Cancer began as a simple challenge in the beginning of summer, he says. Avallone proposed he and some of their friends see how long their beards can get in a year. After some late night brainstorming, the idea evolved into a wild approach for cancer fund-raising.

Petrillo says the mission is important because it shows people there are a variety of ways to contribute to causes like cancer research.

"There are so many people who have lost someone to cancer," says Petrillo, who experienced a loss of his own when a high school friend passed away from a rare form of the disease in 2001.

Although the trio originally planned to begin their yearlong fund-raiser Jan. 1, Petrillo says they could not wait any longer.

"We just wanted to get started," he says. "We all wanted our beards back."

Amid television and news reporters, Petrillo, Wildman and Avallone received an authentic '50s-style shave from the barbers at Frank's Men's Barbershop in Haddonfield, N.J.

Petrillo smiles as he explains the 15-minute shaving process he says ended with the application of a painful lotion.

"I felt like McCauley Culkin [in 'Home Alone']," he says. "That was my lame joke of the day."

The quest for sponsorship is only beginning, says Petrillo. So far, friends, family and a few other local New Jersey shops have agreed to support the project, but if the boys are going to reach their goal of $100,000, he says they will need to reach larger corporations like Wal-Mart and Target.

They researched the earnings of other fund-raisers like Relay for Life to set a feasible goal. An appearance on the Sharon Osbourne Show and other programs will hopefully spark the interest of other companies, Petrillo says.

Petrillo's face lights up as he reveals his plan to contact the international Whisker Club that holds an annual beard competition in which men compete in areas such as "freestyle beards," creating art forms of facial hair longer than Petrillo's own beard will ever grow in the next year.

Petrillo says he is hopeful the hair will grow mostly downward, reaching his chest by this time next year. His eyes widen as he cups his hands six inches around his face to illustrate what it might look like if the hair were to spread outward.

"Maybe after a while you'll only see my eyes," he says with a grin. "Then I'll wear some shades and the only thing you'll be able to see are my nose and teeth." Petrillo parts his lips to reveal a set of white teeth as he covers the rest of his face with his hands.

At first, Petrillo avoids honest answers as to whether a year without shaving might change his daily life, but eventually exposes a bit of concern regarding the effect his appearance might have on his social life.

"I feel like I should have established a girlfriend first," he says. "But I kinda thought about it and if looking a little unique for a year will ultimately help someone, then I'm happy to do it."

Petrillo says after many months he might feel the obligation to randomly explain himself and his beard to passers-by on campus.

He says he will cope with the oddity of having a long beard by accepting the fact that he will be viewed by strangers as the "weird beard kid." But actually, acquiring a title like this would only motivate him further.

"I've got pride in my beard," he says. "Especially because I'll know the cause surrounding it."

Petrillo says his mom supports Beards for Cancer, but worries it might cause problems if he needs to attend a job interview or go somewhere he would need to look presentable.

The day after his first clean shave in two years, Petrillo sits at a small table in Lettuce Feed You and points to his dish of chicken and pasta.

"See this?" he asks. "This time next year it is all going to be in my beard." He chuckles at the idea.

The sarcastic junior's quick wit will enable him to answer any questions about complications the long beard might ensue.

He says he really has not given much thought to his beard interrupting his daily routine because he and his friends focus most on making this a successful fund-raiser.

The beard, for example, will only improve his drumming skills during performances with his hardcore punk band, Luckystar, in which he and Wildman have been a part of since sophomore year in high school.

"I'm thinking it will only strengthen my drumming skills," he says in a mocking tone. "Now I will be able to use three drumsticks instead of one and if I ever drop one I can just pull another out of my beard."

Other items Petrillo plans to store within the thick, black facial hair are a wallet, driver's license and passport.

He says the passport will come in handy if ever faced with the urge to flee the country to join the bearded men of Norway.

Monthly photos of the three boys and their growing beards will accompany an updated list of sponsors on www.beardsforcancer.com. Petrillo, Wildman and Avallone developed this Web site as part of their responsibilities for the year.

Petrillo, an English education major, says he plans to look for a job teaching English at either the high school or college level.

"I love English, but a degree is just something to fall back on if you don't get to do what you really want to do," he says, referring to the dream he shares with his bandmates of becoming well-known in the hardcore scene.

For the next year, Beards for Cancer will be Petrillo's most time-consuming project.

If you see him on campus, don't be intimidated. Under the beard hides a smiling, caring guy who, along with friends, has discovered a new way to join the fight against cancer.

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