Metro Tech student is a cut above
When he was 14 years old, Juan Carrillo’s uncle bought a pair of clippers and asked Juan for a haircut. He did such a good job that he continued cutting his uncle’s hair, then added other family members to the rotation.
He quickly realized a passion for hair and vowed to get professional training when he was of age.
Last year, Carrillo enrolled in Metro Tech’s Cosmetology program tuition-free as a high school junior from ASTEC Charter High School. According to his Cosmetology teachers, Carrillo’s talent was apparent almost immediately.
He maintained a 4.0 GPA all year; won a gold medal at his student organization’s state competition; and placed second in the Men’s Clippering Competition during Oklahoma’s first Barbering and Cosmetology Expo hosted at Metro Tech.
Carrillo said professional training has taught him to work more efficiently.
“I’ve learned skills I didn’t know I was capable of executing. I enjoy the feeling of people leaving my chair happy and feeling their best,” he said.
Carrillo is a senior at ASTEC this fall, returning to Metro Tech to complete his cosmetology training. He plans to own and operate a barber shop upon graduation and licensure.
Billie Smith is a community relations/ social media specialist with Metro Technology Centers.