Beard Of The Month - November 2013 - Shane Raffa
It's November and I'm thankful for facial hair! And I'm thankful for our Beard of the Month, Shane Raffa! Mr. November resides in East Petersburg, Pennsylvania with his fabulous beard, wife, and two sons. He spends his days as an upholsterer and has done so for the last 12 years. He is a proud husband, father, and beardo! When it comes to tunes that Shane and his beard enjoy, you'll usually find them rocking out to 1940's honky tonk, blues, old souther rock, reggae, and 90's rap. Mr. November is also a runner, which he does a handful of times each week, as well as hiking. He's a simple, laid back man who enjoys the little things in life.
Keep bearding Shane and thanks for being Brocouncil.com's Beard of the Month!
Name: Shane Raffa
Age: 30
How long have you been growing your beard?: 2 years and 4 months and looking back.
Why are you growing your beard?: It originally started that I just wanted to say I grew a beard for one year (I had planned on shaving it off).....and here I am! I now continue to grow because I feel so right with a beard. I grow it for my freedom and individuality! I grow because I can.
Have you won or placed in any competitions?: First Place Full Beard at Beard Without Borders in Greencastle Pennsylvania in June 2012 and June 2013.
How did you find out about the bearding community?: Lancaster, PA 2011 Nationals. I live 10 minutes down the road from where the competition was held. Unfortunately I did not go.....I had just shaved my face not long before I heard of this competition.
Do you belong to any beard club?: YES, I am Vice President and 1 of 4 founding fathers of York Beard and Mustache Club! If you ever see me at a competition, you will hear me proudly chant...YBMC...YBMC..YBMC!
Is shaving anywhere in your future(I hope not!)?: Absolutely not. I plan to be bearded for life. And by that I mean to never trim either. I do not shape or trim at all. I actually look forward to when it is all white and I will look like your friendly neighborhood lawn gnome being that I stand at a very towering 5'2".
What is the best compliment your beard has received?: At Nationals 2012 in Vegas, just before going up to compete, Myk OConnor told me my beard was looking very rad! It meant a lot as I look at his beard as one of the gnarliest around and hope to have a beard like that someday. Any compliment is always an encouragement to keep it growing!
What have you gained from the bearding community?: I always say "it's more than beards." I have gained a brotherhood. For me, especially, this is awesome being I have two sisters but no brothers. I could go on and on about how awesome this community is, but to name a few people .... Maximo Garcia, Scott Hart, Dave White, Adam Paul Causgrove, and everyone else (you know who you are). Most Importantly my YBMC BROTHERS, Christian Alexandersen, Adam Bricker, Eric Fink....YBMC....YBMC! I feel this craziness of the beard community really all made sense at RVA's second competition, Andy Pokorski , who I had only know thru the social world at that time, came up to me and some very nice words that hit home! it was one of the most simple and sincere compliments I've received from this community that wasn't beard related!
Are there any competitions that we can find you at in the near future?: Beard Without Borders 3 on April 12, 2014, Shippensburg Pennsylvania. This will be my first competition back from taking a year off due to giving the beard a break and just letting it grow, having my second son, and spending much needed time with my wife and kids. I hope to defend my title as Full Beard champion for the 3rd year in a row. Either way, it will be great to be back competing.
If you could give any advice to a group of people, what would it be?: Slow down, live, breath. Get out and explore. Life is short. Spend time with the ones you love. Smile, and MOST importantly BEARD!!!!!
Congratulations to Shane, our November 2013 Beard Of The Month! If you are interested in throwing your own beard in the ring, contact us here. You can check out our other Beards of the Month here.
