Published: October 09, 2009 03:17 pm      

The education of beauty

Crystal Brown

cbrown@weatherforddemocrat.com

The skills to clip, curl and color are opening doors for students at Weatherford High School.

In the state of the economy and rising costs of higher education, the cosmetology program at WHS is as full as ever. Some students are taking advantage that they can go to work right out of high school. Others are using it as a stepping stone and a way to pay their way through college.

Instructors Samantha Alexander and Danna Farmer guide the 23 seniors and 35 juniors taking the course this year. The elective course takes up three class periods in the students’ schedules in order for them to obtain the necessary 1,000 hours required by the state board to be completed prior to taking the licensing exam.

“Once they graduate they can take the state board test, and if they pass they can go right to work,” Farmer said.

But to complete all the required hours, careful planning is required said senior cosmetology student Angela Henard.

“You have to plan out your schedule in ninth and tenth grade,” she said.

Henard grew up watching her mom work in the world of beauty and decided she would learn those skills in order to pay her way through college.

Mickenly Hamilton said she started out with the same intentions, but has now decided cosmetology is her career of choice.

“I was just going to work my way through college, but I ended up liking it and this is what I want to do,” Hamilton said. “You have to stay focused in your other classes because this takes up so much time. You don’t have the extra space in your future schedule to make things up.”

Senior Ashley Garcia is also excited about the idea she will be ready to enter the workforce at the end of the school year.

Hamilton said it’s a relief she and her classmates don’t have to go search for a career when they’re done with school.

“We already have a plan,” Hamilton said.

The students still have several months to go before reaching their goals. Until then they will continue to practice their techniques and prepare for the state exam.

“Some days we work on state board stuff, some days it’s theory,” Farmer said.

Other days, Farmer tests the students by having them complete a mini state board test. The complete state board test requires a manicure, facial, color, chemical relaxer, bleach retouch, hair cut, shampoo, perm roll up, finger wave, pin curls, blow dry and curling iron.

“I want them to be prepared to do everything they have to do for the state board test,” Farmer said. “This is great for these students because this may be what they want to do and they don’t have to pay for their hours. And those who want to go onto college, this is great for them to be able to do as they work their way through school. It’s a great place to start.”

The WHS cosmetology department offers a customer day each Tuesday where the public can come in for a variety of services from shampoo and cut, to color and facial waxing. Call (817) 598-2858 or e-mail dfarmer@weatherfordisd.com for an appointment. Appointments are available between 8 and 10:30 a.m. and 1:45 to 6 p.m. The cosmetology department is located behind the main Ninth Grade Center campus across from the tennis courts.



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Pricing

Shampoo Set/Style $5

Updo’s $8

Hair Cut $5

Shampoo Only $2

Deep Conditioner $3

Perms $15+

Relaxers $15+

Color/Highlighting $20+

Facials $6+

Brow Waxing $5

Manicure $5

Pedicure in massaging chair $15