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Isabella Transou, a junior at the high school, does Sophia Weaver's makeup during class. Practicing on each other is how the cosmetology students learn most of their skills.
All photos by Carrie Bradbury, Review Desk Lead
Cutting difficult hair styles, doing acrylic nails, and practicing bridal make up are all things that students can be doing in Cosmetology class. It is easy to assume that this CTE exploratory is just playing with hair and make-up, but friendships and careers can be made during the school day with no cost to the students. Students learn the entire business of cosmetology from studying the chemistry behind products to identifying different diseases passed through improper nail tech hygiene. The class is both a chemistry lab and a salon.
"There is a lot of science behind mixing color and all of the chemicals that you can't mix and all of that," said senior Savannah Canter. "So I think just the back half of stuff that isn't really thought about."
Whereas most high school classes prepare you for college, the Watauga Cosmetology program sets students up for a job immediately after graduation. Every student that completes the entire program graduates with a license, which saves them time and money, providing a job at eighteen.
"When I graduate, I will graduate with my license so as soon as I do that I want to do my apprenticeship for the next six months and then I eventually want to work my way up to owning my own salon," said Canter.
Along with preparing for a future, the Cosmetology program provides students with a community within high school. Learning how to work alongside peers, making tight bonds with those that you are around everyday, makes the program enjoyable for the students and teaches them important lessons about what a professional career, interacting with actual clients, may look like.
"Cosmetology for me is just a way to express my creativity and for clients to see the beauty that God has given them," said Canter. "I love making people feel better about themselves"
Misconceptions about the program are all too common, and can lead people to believe that Cosmetology isn't important and can be cut. The students in this class are an example of how this is not true. Students learn more than just hair and make up, they learn how to be a scientist, business owner, friend, and professional.
"I wish more people would realize that it is not just someone playing with hair and it's an actual career path and something that is not going to be taken over by other businesses," said Canter. "So it is something that people need to realize it is a job and not just a fun thing to do."
Scarlett Shoemaker, a junior at the high school, has learned a variety of different skills within hair, nails, and makeup through the program. Some skills have come easy to her, while others have been an extra challenge.
"I would say face waxing (is the hardest) because it's kind of scary to do because it's your whole face," said Shoemaker.
Shoemaker's friend and classmate, junior Jasmine Harmeyer, has come to see the importance of her work by interacting with clients.
"Definitely one thing that I love about it is that it's not just going in and doing peoples hair and stuff," said Harmeyer. "There is a reason people come in, people who are getting married, or getting dressed for a funeral."
Getting to interact with real people, hearing their stories and getting to help them be their best self, makes the work of these cosmetology students truly come to life.
"It feels good to help people feel good," said Harmeyer.
Shoemaker practices bridal make up on Harmeyer during class.
Learning new skills alongside your peers fosters a special connection between these students, one that cannot be replicated in any other classroom. Junior, Kelty Anthony, has found a home in the cosmetology room in a way that she never expected.
"For me there is a great sense of family here and we are all good friends so that part of it has been really encouraging and fun," said Anthony. "But also its really a passion that you can pursue and its a talent."
The program has been an unexpected source of joy for many of the girls who have joined. Since being in the program, Anthony and others have been taught skills they never knew could be possible.
"I kind of came in here with the idea that we are just going to cut hair and curl it but there's definitely a lot of work that goes into it," said Anthony. "It's so important to understand the fundamentals that you are working with so that you don't hurt someone."
Diverse and extensive knowledge is what sets cosmetologists apart, and the high school program offers students with an extensive education that sets all students up for success.
"I really like styling people's hair, and I actually have enjoyed men's cuts more than women's," said Anthony.
The cosmetology program prepares students for any path in their professional career, which is incredibly beneficial and important for these students.
"I am hoping to go into a salon as a hair stylist but I've also really enjoyed facials and nail," said Anthony. "Just straight out of high school, that was my goal with cosmetology to just got straight into the workforce."
Sophia Weaver, junior at the high school, practices bridal make up on herself.
Keeley Brown works on Aliana Knight's, junior, hair and make up.
Junior, Keeley Brown, has planned her whole future around cosmetology and relies on this class for a job after graduation.
"Its setting me up for the future, for my career," said Brown.
Brown has always found an interest in hair and has dreamed of being a stylist from a very young age.
"I alway loved doing my moms make up and braiding her hair and then I heard there was a cosmetology program at the high school and then I was like I need to do it and since I've been in here I knew it was my career path and so I knew from a very young age," said Brown.
The Cosmetology program offers students with unlimited opportunities, and with the training provided for free, students leave the high school prepared. Whether students are planning on going into the cosmetology industry, or simply want a fun class to do with friends, this program is an amazing an amazing experience for those who complete it.
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