MADILL, OK -- Middle school is often a tough time for many young students - kids struggling to fit in, trying to fit in to the “norm.” But one sixth grader in Madill is doing something a little different, even persevering through teasing from his peers, to help a complete stranger. Shelby Levins reports.

Science is one of Dakota Looney's favorite subjects. But don't let the long hair fool you, the straight-A student is not doing it out of rebellion, he's doing it out of love.

"I'm not trying to be different I'm just trying to help,” Dakota said.

The sixth grader is growing his hair out for Locks of Love, to donate to a cancer patient in need.

"I think I'm two inches away,” Dakota said.

The humble sixth grader admits it's not easy having long hair in middle school, saying some kids have made fun of him. But Dakota isn't letting their unkind words cut his good deed short.

"It's just their opinion. But the kid that's going to be getting my hair - they don't think it's stupid,” Dakota said.

But Dakota isn't one to brag about his good deeds. Even despite the teasing, Dakota never told his teacher why he was growing his hair long. It wasn't until parent-teacher conferences, when his teacher, Mr. Serner, learned of Dakota's plans to donate to Locks of Love.

"When (his father) said that it was just like - it got me - that shows you the character of him, he didn't brag, he didn't say ‘Mr. Serner the reason I'm growing it out long is I’m donating it,’” Mr. Serner said.

"It shows he's already becoming a man. He can take something and it doesn’t bother him because he knows there’s a great good coming out of it.” Mikel Looney, Dakota’s father said.

Dokota says it was an uncle that sparked the idea. And regardless of what other kids say, he can't wait to share his hair with someone in need.

"I guess it just snapped - I'm going to be helping people and it just gave me a really good feeling,” Dakota said.

In addition to growing his hair out, Dakota has also been nominated by Mr. Serner and a handful of other teachers to be part of the “People to People” World Leadership Forum in Washington D.C. and is planning some fundraisers this summer.

If you'd like to help, an account is set up at First United Bank in Madill under the name, Dakota Looney.