Photo by Molly Harrell

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He is just 17. But Caleb, a senior at Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, is carrying on after his mother’s death in a very adult way. Caleb, a self-professed momma’s boy, took care of his mother during her almost four-year battle with lung cancer. To honor his mom who always tried to make the world a better place, Caleb has set out to raise $15,000 for Camp Kemo, a summer camp for children with cancer. Caleb struck a deal with his school’s principal, Ralph Schmidt—if he can raise the cash, Mr. Schmidt will shave off his mustache. While cancer is no joke, seeing their principal without his mustache that he’s had since the 70s is certainly funny. Caleb’s band, The Bitter Suite, is performing benefit concerts, students are paying up to wear hats during school, and donation booths will be set up at football games. “We’ll do anything to raise ‘Cash for the ’Stache,’” Caleb says.

What he likes about reading skirt!: “It promotes good causes.”

And wearing a skirt: “Showing off my calves.”

ONLINE EXTRAS:

1. Caleb says that raising money for cancer is not just about his mom. "It's also for the benefit of society," he says. "We have to find a cure."

2. Ralph Schmidt's wife is the director of Camp Kemo and he volunteers there as often as he can.

3. Caleb started The Cancer Support Society, a Facebook group, when his mom became ill. The group has grown to 2,500 people.