When Frenchie accidentally gave herself pink hair in the movie, “Grease,” she contemplated dropping out of beauty school.  

 

Today’s salons have requests for that same shade of pink and more as they navigate current trends and traditional styles. Now it’s possible for local high schoolers to get a head start in this innovative industry and for local clients to score affordable professional services at a convenient location.

 

Many Bridgeport High Schoolers board the buses each morning, when in school, to attend the cosmetology classes at United Technical Center, a Career and Technical Center that is shared with other Harrison County Schools as well as students from Doddridge and Taylor Counties.  The cosmetology program has been in place for five years, offering services such as haircuts, hair coloring, manicures, pedicures, artificial nail services and skin services like waxing and facials.

 

What many don’t realize is that the UTC Cosmetology program is a functioning business, offering professional services to the public by appointment.  The program is housed at 251 Marietta Street in Clarksburg within the main campus of the United Technical Center.  Each year, students showcase their talents with a themed hair show and performance, complete with makeup and costumes.

 

To complete the cosmetology program, students can begin during their junior year of high school and attend for two years prior to graduation. They can then return as an adult to complete the program. Adults are also welcome to enroll in the program at any point and financial aid and scholarships are available.  

 

“Currently, our students have 100 perecent job placement, meaning every student has a job offer,” said Cosmetology Instructor Kendra Bland.

 

Current Bridgeport students who are attending the program include senior Nikita Watts and juniors Lilly Bumgardner, Aaliyah Koch, Danielle Poling and Kaylee Spinks. Recent BHS graduates attending include Jessica Blizzard, Abbie Alford and Christa Smith. The program requires a series of coursework and application pertaining to the field of cosmetology.

 

The in-house salon at UTC is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 2:30 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  

 

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 304-326-7596. Questions about the program can be directed to Cosmetology Coordinator Barbara Mayer at Barbara.mayer@k12.wv.us.