If doing hair and makeup interests you, you owe it to yourself to consider taking one of the cosmetology classes at FCHS. The school now offers a three-year course in cosmetology (Cosmetology I, Cosmetology II, and Barbering) which is designed to train students to pass the state exam.  If you pass, you can become licensed in cosmetology and barbering, which could enable you to work in a salon– or even open your own.

Since the classes are hands-on, CTE courses, class sizes are limited to 13 students, so if you’re considering signing up, you need to do so early in your high school career. “Usually if you take the first course, you will most likely get into the second,” said Senior Jayda Woodford.

Teacher Katie Wilkerson says that cosmetology focuses on teaching hair, skin, and nail care using both a textbook and hands-on training. It also teaches you coloring, cutting, hair relaxing, and perming, as well as how to add in extensions with braids. “Once you get your licenses and get hired at a salon, some salons will give you free training,” said Wilkerson. Some of her former students have gotten jobs at The Haircuttery on Pantops. Once a month, the class has an open lab where people can come in and get their hair done so they can practice on actual people and not just manikins.

This is Woodford’s first year taking the cosmetology courses. She has learned styling, shampooing, drying, and the different textures of hair so far. Next, she said, they will learn facial waxing. “I didn’t know I was curling hair wrong until I went into the class,” said Woodford. Next, she said, they will learn facial waxing. Although Woodford would like to take the next cosmetology class (Cosmetology II), she is unable to do so because she is graduating this year.

Junior Jemika Johnson also takes Cosmetology I. “The class is fun once you get to practice on the manikin,” she said. She said she has learned how to clean bacteria off combs and brushes, the importance of being neat, and how to organize a station. In a recent class, students learned about coloring hair and then practiced hair coloring on one girl in the class (with her permission). The stations are set up as if it was a real salon; the only difference if there are chairs where you screw the manikin heads on.

Doing cosmetology as a career is more than just a way to make money, it is also a way to serve others by helping them appear they want to the world. So if you’re looking for a way to help others, to know more about your own facial and hair care, and to learn real-world skills that can put you on the path to a career, consider signing up for Cosmetology I. For more information, see your Guidance counselor or Ms. Wilkerson in Room 3316.