Mustache Madness

Kyle Khatchadourian
Staff Writer

Ready… set…. grow! For those of you that can sport a mustache, the point of growing the stache in March is no longer about the college basketball, but rather an entire 31 days dedicated to growing some of the most reputable mustaches. Mustache March or Mustache Madness has become a national movement to celebrate the furry friend that lies on the top lip of many men’s faces.

From the ‘Magnum’, homage to Tom Selleck’s facial hair, to the simple yet recognizable ‘Zorro’ mustache, boys and men of all ages let their mustaches grow out all month to demonstrate the love for the hairy fashion statement. The rules are simple, anyone that wants to participate in the month long grow-athon, must be cleanly shaven on March 1st and let their mustache grow until the last day of the month.

“Most people any other month of the year would look at you and think ‘why does he have that crazy mustache,’ but during March its nice to know that it doesn’t matter and since it’s so popular now most people seem to know what’s going on,” senior Ian McCormick said.

For some, Mustache March poses as a simple excuse to try out a new look, but for others, growing out their ‘stache means a chance at winning various mustache growing titles or prizes. Certain websites and surf companies go as far as to hold mustache competitions where people from all over can send in pictures of their month long endeavor in hope to win prizes and bragging rights.

“The competitions for March Mustache Madness don’t mean that much to me, but it’s great to be part of the movement, to see the unique and funny mustache’s you and your friends can accomplish in one month,” senior Michael Cassen said.

Just as Mustache March is a nationwide movement, it seems to have the same involvement amongst the Mira Costa community, students and teachers alike. It’s an event that brings everyone together to share the love and history behind the classic hair.

“I may be a lot older than the students here at Costa, but some of these kids can grow a mustache just as well and as long as a man my age,” math teacher Dan Debevic said. “It’s a really great and unique movement, and I’m glad to see how many people really get into the whole scene of it. Grow your ‘stache!”

The idea of growing out one’s mustache stems from an early tradition that developed in the United States Air Force. Members of the Air Force started growing out their mustaches in civil protest against the Air Force’s facial hair regulations during the month of March. Now, Mustache March marks a cultural coalition for facial hair and provides a platform for many organizations to raise money for various charities.

“The stache is either something you hate or something you love, for me its something I love.” Senior Shane Foley said. “No matter how well you can grow a mustache, it really doesn’t matter for this month. Just as long as you have something on your lip, your good!”

So if you have been walking around town wondering why you were seeing young men sporting everything from peach fuzz dirt stains, to brushy handlebars on their upper lips, well, now you know, its all for the proliferation of the mustache.