Mia Shields

For the last few weeks, boys have been walking around Miami Palmetto Senior High’s hallways with buzz cuts. This may have left you thinking, “What is this buzz all about?” This season, the Boys Lacrosse Team came together to collectively buzz their heads in honor of one of their teammates.

Each year, as many other sports do, the team bonds and creates a strong brotherhood throughout the season. The team’s relationship has always sparked a strong sense of support beyond practices and games.

“We spend a lot of time with these guys, up to 10 plus hours with them [per week]. Usually, you develop … friendships, and bonds you would never expect and relationships I know will last a long time, and [being on a team together can] help keep my friendships I’ve had with other people before and make them even stronger now,” junior  Zachary El-Assad said.

More than just the chemistry and unity they exhibit when facing off against another team, the team covers and protects each other — even when they are out of their Palmetto blue jerseys.

“We’re always looking out for each other, always hanging out with each other on and off the field. We always have each other’s backs,” junior  Luke Funcia said.

But, in the face of one of their teammate’s experiences, the team’s brotherhood can be seen in a new light, starting when the team’s captain created a group chat asking if the team would buzz their heads in honor of their teammate and friend.

“The buzz had started after Luke Funcia, one of our junior attackmen, [was scheduled] to have brain surgery … We did it as a sign [that] we are with him, and we are supporting him throughout the way,” El-Assad said.

Some teammates like El-Assad, who did not shave their heads, are showing support for Funcia in other ways.

“Other people like myself are going to do like seven hundred push-ups … Because he wears number seven on the field. I feel it’s equally as respectful if I do that,” El-Assad said.

When Funcia’s medical condition prompted surgery, the team showed their support in a bold way. Little did he know, while he was sick, his teammates one by one were shaving their heads, at home and in barbershops.

“I have dealt with [a] kind of epilepsy since freshman year, and through the process of that, I had scheduled a surgery. That was supposed to be a couple of weeks ago, but it got postponed because I got sick,” Funcia said.“They decided to all shave their heads to support me.”

When he returned to school, he was surprised to see this display of solidarity.

“Honestly, I felt bad because everyone had shaved their head, and my head wasn’t shaved or anything — I still had my hair. So, as soon as I could, I went and I shaved my head too, but [the team buzzing] honestly made me happy,” Funcia said.