Students give haircuts, send locks to charity
Wednesday was an extremely productive day in The Cutting Edge training salon: Some students were getting new ‘dos; others got practice working on hair with live clients; and children who lose their hair from cancer or another condition will be getting realistic wigs for free.
The 12th-grade cosmetology students at South-Western Career Academy in Grove City chose to hold a “cut-a-thon” Wednesday and Thursday as their senior capstone project, which is the culmination of everything they’ve learned during their two years in the program.
The students are giving the haircuts and styles for free in exchange for donated hair. They specifically chose to help the nonprofit Children With Hair Loss, based in Rockwood, Michigan, said senior Cami Owen, because the charity doesn’t charge children and young adults for the wigs. It also doesn’t mind if donated hair is gray or has been dyed, as long as it’s in good condition.
“Heck, a kid might want pink hair,” Owen said.
Those who made appointments for cuts — 20 on Wednesday and 10 for Thursday — all agreed to chop off at least 8 inches. The goal is to send at least 20 ponytails to the organization, and the stylists had collected more than that by Wednesday afternoon.
Some clients seemed blase about going short.
“It’s good karma,” said Christina Nop, an academy junior studying communications and event planning.
“It feels so weird!” she said when her once-long black hair only reached her shoulders. “It’s like a weight off my head.”
Stylist Stephany Suero was marking off 15 inches of Jordan Timberlake’s hair using rubber bands.
“If I don’t like it, I have the whole summer for it to ABOVE: Janet Escobar-Santiago, 17, center, holds strands of her hair that were snipped off by student Linsa Alonso, left, and professional stylist Jamee Patrick during a two-day “cut-a-thon” that began Wednesday at the South-Western Career Academy salon in Grove City. BOTTOM LEFT: Cosmetology student Cami Owen, 18, trims the hair of Lyndsay Erdy, a senior at Central Crossing High School. Student stylists-in-training are cutting hair for donation to Children With Hair Loss, a nonprofit group that provides wigs to children with medically-related hair loss. grow,” said Timberlake, an 11th-grader at the neighboring Central Crossing High School. “I complain about how long my hair is. I thought it would be really cool to donate to someone who would appreciate it more than me.”
Some needed to brace themselves for the change.
“My hair! My hair is gone!” said Madison Bussey, an academy 11th-grader who is studying dental assisting. Her long, wavy hair was suddenly shoulder-length, and several 11-inch bundles were lying on the counter.
Her friend, Jewel Dowden, was wielding the shears. Dowden said she was feeling special pressure to not mess up. But Bussey seemed to get over the initial shock, and the cut was going well.
The 25 seniors divvied up the salon staffing during Christina Nop’s hair was separated into strands before being cut at the South-Western Career Academy salon. Nop is a junior at the school.
the event. Audrey Tibbs served as the manager on Wednesday, working the front desk. She’ll work as a stylist on Thursday. Another student worked in the back room, making sure that the stylists on the floor had all the supplies they needed. The juniors stood by to help shampoo clients while the seniors did the styling.
Cosmetology instructor Dawn Weaver and two
professional stylists, Jamee Patrick and Tonya Pack, circled the room, answering questions and giving assistance. They wouldn’t let any client leave with a disappointing style. Patrick is an academy graduate and was a student of Weaver’s 15 years ago. Pack’s daughter, MacKenzie, is one of the seniors.
People can volunteer to donate to South-Western’s cut-a-thon either on Thursday afternoon or by making an appointment with the academy for later. They can reach The Cutting Edge salon, 1750 Big Run South Road in Grove City, at 614-801-3450. The students also are collecting money for Children With Hair Loss.
For more information on the charity, visit www.childrenwithhairloss.us.