An area at Hunter Huss High School in Gastonia that has been used over the years as a student lounge, chorus and theater classroom, and manufacturing technology training room is now a state-of-the-art cosmetology lab.  The space is where students with an interest in the cosmetology profession can get a jump start on a promising career.

In a matter of months, crews from Pinnix Construction transformed what basically was a concrete shell into a bright and modern lab with 20 hairstyling stations, hair-washing sinks, hair dryer chairs, manicure tables, and other features.  A large classroom for instruction and demonstrations is adjacent to the lab, which also has a separate entrance and lobby area that will be used eventually by the general public seeking a hairdo, pedicure, or facial.

The new cosmetology lab, which is part of the Career Academy at Hunter Huss High School and Gaston County Schools’ Career and Technical Education Department, is made possible through a partnership with Gaston College.  BreAnne Walker, the college’s cosmetology program director, and instructors Tarsha Holmes and Tami Edwards are leading the effort to prepare students for jobs in cosmetology.

“There are so many avenues students can take in cosmetology,” said Edwards, who has worked in a salon setting for more than 30 years and now teaches for the college.  “This program gives students a chance to determine whether cosmetology is an area of interest and if they see themselves working in the profession.”

Holmes added that cosmetology is more than what people typically envision.  In addition to working in or owning a salon, there are opportunities “beyond working behind the chair,” pointing out how cosmetologists are needed in the cruise ship industry and the television and entertainment fields, for example.

Walker said interest in cosmetology is high as “self-care as a profession is booming.”  She is excited about having a college-level cosmetology program for high schoolers and believes interest will grow as students learn about what is being offered.  Students enter the program as juniors and complete two years of coursework before high school graduation.  Then, they transition to complete two semesters at Gaston College in preparation for taking the state cosmetology exam. 

In addition to learning how to cut, color, perm, and style hair and provide other services that are offered in a salon, students will find out what it is like to work with clients, provide good customer service, and manage the business aspects of cosmetology.  This is important, according to Walker, because it helps students gain a full understanding of what it is like to be in the profession.

According to Brett Buchanan, director of Career and Technical Education for Gaston County Schools, years ago, some school districts offered cosmetology programs; however, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction sunset the cosmetology curriculum.  Fortunately, the partnership with Gaston College makes it possible to offer the program again at the high school level, which is something that has been in the works for Gaston County Schools.

“We are proud to be able to add this program to what we offer in Career and Technical Education, and the 36 juniors and seniors we have in our first cohort are really excited,” said Buchanan.  “We cannot wait to see how well they do and how interest in the program grows over the next few years.”

Walker said the plan is to open the lab to customers from the general public next school year while Gaston County Schools employees will be able to be the first clients beginning in January.  Haircuts and other services will be offered at a relatively low price as the goal is not to make money, but to give the students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and practice their skills.