Lookin’ Good: FHS Cosmetology Students Prepare for Skills Test

As the 2023-2024 school year comes close to an end, Fairfield High School celebrates the success of their first year offering Cosmetology courses as part of the Career and Technical Education Courses program.

This program is designed for students to test and start working in the field within a couple of weeks of high school graduation.

The Cosmetology Course is offered through Navarro College, under the direction of department head Robyn Smith.

At Navarro, the course is completed in two semesters, but in the high school setting, it is a two-year course due to time and schedule constraints. Therefore, students will begin the program in their junior year and complete it just prior to graduation.

In addition to in-lab instruction, students also must take an online course called CIMA by Milady, done from home.

Since FISD provides the instructor for the program, there is no cost to the student to take part, therefore it is perfect for all students, from any economic background.

The school also provides all supplies, equipment, and products used in the classes; all of which are professional grade.

School Secretary, Dena McQuinn, was asked by FHS Principal, Sonya Gibson, to become the instructor for the new program due to her extensive experience in cosmetology.

Mrs. McQuinn earned her Cosmetology License in 1986, her Instructor’s License in 1998, and worked as a Hair Care Color Educator with Redken for many years. Most recently, however, she has served as School Secretary at the High School since 2015. Now, she serves as Secretary in the mornings, and Instructor in the afternoons.

“At the beginning of the school year, we took a field trip to Waco for a Preview of all Redken products, and it made the girls hungry to learn more,” says Mrs. McQuinn. “The kids are great, so creative. It’s a positive environment here with zero drama. They are happy and these courses make them want to do better in their other school classes.”

Mrs. McQuinn explained that many of the students were teased at first for joining the program; being told they must not be very smart if they were going to just do hair and nails for a living. “What most people don’t realize is that there is a lot more involved than meets the eye. You must be smart to take and pass the CIMA by Milady online course. It’s very intense.”

She goes on to say, “The intelligence is in the room. They are constantly helping and teaching each other, and me. The more I pour into them, the more I learn from them in return.”

The students must clock in and clock out, just like being at a real job; and they must complete 90% of clocked hours to receive credit for the course. Mrs. McQuinn works with the students, however she can, to ensure they make up any missed time due to other school activities, even meeting them in the lab after school hours or on a weekend.

“The girls are very self-sufficient, clean up after themselves, wash towels and equipment,” explains Mrs. McQuinn. “They must leave the salon in great shape before leaving so they can come in ready to get to work the next day. You just never know what your day will hold, so you must be prepared to start off on the right foot.”

The students are currently getting ready for their skills test. So far, they have learned a little about the following: sanitation, sterilization, diseases, anatomy, physiology, face shapes vs. hair styles, hair cutting, color application, manicures, pedicures, rolling perms, clipper cuts, color theory, makeup, and more.

Students enrolled in the course this year are Seniors – Abril Ocampo and Destiny Dowell, and Juniors – Megan Amaya, Suzanne Hanson, Honey Lundy, Lily Moore, Mayte Hidalgo, Joanna Limones, Reese White, and Hailey Woodcock.

The two seniors will complete their studies at Navarro College following their graduation, as they were not able to begin the program as juniors.

Here are a few words from some of the ladies about their experience in this specialty program, why they chose to participate, what some of their favorite skills are, and what their future might hold:

–Lily Moore’s mother is a stylist in the Corsicana area, and she has always looked up to her and has chosen to follow in her footsteps. “After graduation, I plan to work in her salon as an understudy,” she says. “Then I want to move to a larger city so I can make more money doing what I enjoy.”

–Hailey Woodcock’s favorite thing to do is hair cutting. “The program is surprisingly different than what I first thought, in a good way. I think it’s cool that we have a teacher we can bond with and who cares so much about each of us.”

–Abril Ocampo will be completing her courses at Navarro following graduation. “I chose cosmetology to have a back-up career, to always have something to fall back on. My plans are to go into Business Engineering to pursue my dream of creating a brand, for clothes, hair, and other products. It all goes hand in hand.”

–Honey Lundy’s mother does body contour and they have plans to have a combined spa, offering packages for special events, such as bachelorette parties. They may even travel to their clients. “I love the creative freedom we have and that we get to learn from our mistakes,” she says. “My passion is making people feel beautiful and confident!”

–Reese White says, “I love all things hair!” She almost did not join the program because she was worried that she would have no friends in class but is excited now that they have all become great friends. “The skills I’m learning seem to come naturally to me, and I can’t see myself doing anything else. I plan to move to Florida and possibly open my own shop one day.”

–Megan Amaya says that she had to be talked into joining the program by her friends. “I had no plans before, but now that I’m here, I’m glad I am. My plans are to use this education to support myself through college. Plus, I’ll always have the skills to fall back on if needed.”

–Matey Hidalgo explains that she chose cosmetology because it sounded interesting. “I’ve always loved doing hair and nails and thought it would be a great opportunity to expand my knowledge. It’s fun to see how I can transfer my creativity to hair. I plan to use my skills to pay my way through college and then have my own business.”

Mrs. McQuinn would like to see area salons take these students in with an internship, to give them hands on salon experience, such as washing hair, cleaning, scheduling appointments, etc.

She is very excited about this program and the progress she has witnessed in the students. “I’m looking forward to seeing what next year holds,” she says. “I have a feeling next year’s class will be full. I hope more students will take the leap of faith. It’s a lot of work, but worth it.”

Follow the program and the students’ progress on their Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/EagleCosmetology.

Nicole S. reporting.

 

(at top):  SURROUNDED BY HER Cosmetology Students is Instructor Dena McQuinn (center). Her students include Abril Ocampo, Megan Amaya, Suzanne Hanson, Honey Lundy, Lily Moore, Mayte Hidalgo, Joanna Limones, Reese White, and Hailey Woodcock. Not pictured is Destiny Dowell. (Photo by Nicole S.)