Cosmetology featured in Marion Star

Thanks Marion Star—Andrew Carter and Matthew Hatcher—for the excellent story and photos on our AMAZING Cosmetology program.
TRCC Photo Archive

TRCC Photo Archive

MARION STAR By Andrew Carter – Students enrolled in the cosmetology program at Tri-Rivers Career Center aren’t taking an easy ride to a diploma, according to the instructors who direct the department.

Becky Salyer, an instructor at Tri-Rivers for the past 21 years, said the cosmetology program has always been a popular course offering and that the evolving academic standards are attracting serious students to the profession.

“There was a point in time when we actually interviewed for positions,” she said. “Since that, though, with the credit requirements that they’ve had to have and we’ve added some (grade-point average) requirements, to have some biology and Algebra II under their belt before they come, that’s sorted the kids out more than what we had in the past.”

Salyer said the more rigorous academic requirements has been a positive move for the program.

“You need students who have a good science background because of all the anatomy and physiology that goes along with what we do,” she said. “It’s not just playing with hair and polishing nails, they’ve got to know diseases and disorders of the hair and the skin. It’s important that they’re good students and ready to buckle down and do those kinds of things.”

Salyer said students who graduate from the Tri-Rivers program are prepared for the following certification exams: State Board of Cosmetology, American Heart Association CPR and first aid, and bed tanning operator. Additionally, graduates have the following career paths available to them based on the training they receive: licensed cosmetologist, nail technician, hair colorist, make-up artist, retail specialist and licensed esthetician.

Instructor Sheri Wells, now in her 11th year at Tri-Rivers, said every student who completes the cosmetology program is well-versed in the foundational tenets of the profession before they graduate.

“Under the umbrella of cosmetology, they need to learn the basics of hair, skin and nails to be able to pass their testing for the state board,” she said.

Wells said the current class includes 13 seniors and 17 juniors.

The students work in a modern facility on campus known as the Total Reflections Cosmetology Lab, which, according to the Tri-Rivers website, is a “full-service recently updated interactive salon.” It is open to the public from 12:15  to 2:45 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. To make an appointment, call 740-389-4681, ext. 7281.

Salyer said students are able to provide clients with the same services offered in a professional salon, and that the appointment list is growing.

“The word is getting out there and we’re really starting to build a clientele,” she said. “It definitely is much better for the girls. That real-life experience compared to working on a mannequin is definitely something that they need.”

Cardington resident Patty Bailey is one of the newer clients at the salon. She said she moved to Morrow County from Washington Court House in October 2015 and was made aware of the facility by word of mouth during a doctor’s appointment in Marion. During her first visit to the salon, Bailey had a manicure and pedicure and said she was so pleased she went back to have her hair styled and colored.

“I have been thrilled to pieces,” she said. “The girls are great. The one that I’ve got is a sweetheart and a half. I think everybody is just very friendly and professional. I’ll keep coming back.”

Kelsey McColly, a senior in the program, is the “sweetheart and a half” who provided the service that impressed Bailey so much.

“I’m very pleased with Patty,” McColly said with a grin. “I’m glad she came in today. This is her second time.”

Like McColly, Isabelle Calhoun and Kaylee Drake are seniors at Tri-Rivers. Calhoun, whose home school is River Valley, said she enjoys the practical approach to learning that the program affords her.

“I like all the hands-on stuff, especially in the lab, learning how to cut a new style of hair or doing nails, new color application,” she said. “The teachers are very helpful.”

Calhoun said she plans to pursue a degree in interactive media technology at Marion Technical College and then work in a salon.

Drake, who is from North Union High School, said the program at Tri-Rivers offers her opportunities she would not have otherwise had access to at her home school.

“We can come here and do our two years and then go to state board and get our cosmetology license,” she said. “And then we can work in the cosmetology field right after we graduate. We can make close to $40 an hour, if not more, depending on the field you go to in cosmetology.”

Drake aspires to be a lawyer and has been accepted at the University of Akron. She plans to work as a hair stylist to help pay for her schooling.

For information, visit the Cosmetology Page

740-375-5154