Alexis Sanchez liked wearing her blond hair long, all the way to the middle of her back.

But over the past five years, the sixth grader at St. Mary School in Pinckney has told the stylist to clip it — and not just a little.

Since she was six years old she has donated 24 inches of hair — a total of two feet — to Locks of Love. The nonprofit organization provides hairpieces to children who have lost hair because of chemotherapy or are suffering from other long-term medical hair loss.

Earlier this month Alexis gave her most recent donation in front of all of her St. Mary schoolmates. This time, she did it to honor the memory of her aunt, Pamela Endres, who lost her battle with breast cancer in February 2011.

After a suggestion from a local stylist, Alexis joined Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths, a charity campaign created in partnership with the American Cancer Society. The campaign encourages people to grow, cut and donate their healthy hair to create real-hair wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

The sixth grader wrote to her principal, Veronica Kinsey, with an idea to hold a fundraising contest to win the chance to cut her ponytails.

"I thought the whole idea was great," said Veronica Kinsey. "It set a terrific example for our students."

Alexis’s schoolmates, teachers, and school parents contributed to the contest, which raised $400 for the American Cancer Society. Fourth grade teacher Cheryl Houk won the hair-clipping duty.

"I was glad that a teacher got to cut my hair, and not a kindergartener," chuckled Sanchez. "I was scared to get my hair cut in front of the whole school, but I knew it was for a good cause and that I wanted my hair cut short for the summer. I can't wait to do this fun, scary, and exciting experience again."

St. Mary School is currently registering students in preschool and grades K-8 for fall 2012.