Noshember- a time from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30 when males (and sometimes females) choose not to shave, therefore growing a beard, mustache or very hairy legs; a pormanteau of the words “No Shave November.”

According to noshavenovember.weebly.com, the monthly tradition began in the Middle Ages when men would grow a beard to “ward off evil spirits.”

Today, many people participate to raise awareness about male health problems, such as prostate cancer and Multiple Sclerosis.

“No shave November is simultaneously an extremely fun activity while as well supporting male mental and physical health issues,” senior Adam Johnson, Noshember participater, explained.

Johnson has grown a beard in the past, but he was shaving it until Oct. 30. He is very happy with his beard that he has been able to grow during the month and is considering keeping it during the coming months.

See the pictures at the right for before, during, and after pictures of his progress.

He said the hardest part of participating in the month is dealing with people who judge him due to his scraggly face.

When asked what his parents think of his beard, Johnson said, “My mom is not a big fan of the beard but my dad is doing no-shave-November with me so he actually has a pretty awesome mustache right now.”