Cosmetology students show off their abilities
WAYNESBURG – A creative designs competition for makeup, hair and nails was held during the March open house in the cosmetology department at the Greene County Career and Technology Center. The competition was judged on professional and people’s choice levels.
Among the winners of the professional level, judged on originality, adaptability and execution, was Waynesburg Central High School student Amber Boyle.
But Boyle has advanced to the state level of the SkillsUSA competition now under way in Hershey with her Mother Nature inspired fantasy makeup. At Hershey the selected theme participants must follow is “The Wizard of Oz.” Boyle chose the Tin Man. Finding the original makeup from the movie to be somewhat plain, Boyle said she has come up with several twists on the Tin Man based on the character’s role in the movie.
“I have always loved art and makeup. A face is just a different kind of canvas to work on,” Boyle said. “I’ve been practicing on my little sister, Julia, since we were little.” Julia is 15.
Her performance at the GCCTC open house had no bearing on her pending state competition.
Although Boyle studies all of the cosmetology disciplines at GCCTC, esthetician (skin care and makeup) is where her heart lies, she said. She plans to eventually earn an esthetician license and hopes to attend the Los Angeles College of Creative Arts in Dublin, Ireland.
Boyle is quick to note that creativity is in her genes. Her mother, aunt and cousins are all involved in the creative industries – hair, jewelry design, makeup and photography.
With just two months left until graduation seniors in the GCCTC are in the midst of the National Occupation Competency Testing (NOCTI). The NOCTI has both a theoretical and practical portion. Christa Ziefel, a senior from West Greene High School, who won the professional level for hair at the open house, recently completed the exam. She passed with flying colors.
With just 29 hours left to complete in cosmetology, Ziefel’s next move is to begin looking for a job. She plans to pursue a career in elementary special education, following in the footsteps of her aunt and grandmother. Cosmetology is her backup plan.
Cosmetology instructor Edith Hall, who singled Ziefel out when she entered the room, said she is proud of all of her students. Hall flipped through a scrapbook chronicling the community events they have participated in during the school year. The students have provided services for the Pink Pamper Program of the UPMC Cancer Center, Susan G. Komen Ladies Night Out and the Jefferson Church of the Nazarene.
“Our program is a real bargain. Our students take the exact same state boards as students who enroll in schools that cost $17,000 to $24,000,” Hall said. “They (GCCTC cosmetology students) have to buy kits and textbooks but it is a nominal fee and everything belongs to them.”
Hall said they have tools of the trade, such as curling irons, to take with them when they graduate.
The program is open to adult students as well.
“They pay tuition of $5,000 to $6,000 for the whole program. I recently had two adult students who became licensed and two more to be done by the end of the school year,” she said. “Here, parking is free and you get the holidays off, too.”
The program is flexible for adult students who can choose to attend full or half days. The difference is how long it takes to graduate, Hall said.
The public is encouraged to consider the services of the cosmetology program, offered Mondays by appointment during two sessions beginning at 8:30 a.m. and 12:15 a.m. Prices vary per service. Manicures, pedicures, haircuts and styles are available.
Other winners of the open house cosmetology competition are:
Nails – First place: Abbigale Havrilesko of Waynesburg Central High School, and runner-up Shelia Patton of Carmichaels Area School District
Hair -First place: Christa Ziefel of West Greene High School, and runner-up Carrie Hamilton of West Greene High School
Skin – First place: Amber Boyle of Waynesburg Central High School, and runner-up Alissa Raber of West Greene High School
Hairstyle – First place: Carrie Hamilton of West Greene High School, and runner-up Carrie Murray of Waynesburg Central High School
Makeup – First place: Christa Ziefel of West Greene High School, and runner-up Alyssa Raber of West Greene High School
Nails – First place: Kirsten Clites of Jefferson-Morgan High School, and runner-up Abbigale Havrilesko of Waynesburg Central High School