Portrait of a graduate in action: learning about cosmetology

The cosmetology program at Warwick Valley High School (WVHS) is part of Warwick Valley’s unique Career & Technical Education (CTE) program, which allows Warwick to provide in-house instruction in areas like cosmetology, criminal justice, cyber security, video production, green technology, and more. Cosmetology is a two-year CTE elective program that is available to students in their junior and senior years.

“Just being able to have this program available right here in the high school opens up so much opportunity for Warwick students to take advantage of a cosmetology program,” said program teacher Kathleen Bettello. “One of the many great things about this program, and about CTE in general, is that it requires you to develop a lot of skills that are interchangeable for all parts of life.”

Wildcuts Salon, an extension of the cosmetology program, opened with Bettello as advisor during the 2017-2018 school year. The salon is student-staffed, full-service and located right in the high school. It opens to the public and welcomes guests from around the community to make salon appointments for an array of hair and nail services on select Thursdays between November and June.

”With relation to our Portrait of a Graduate, in class and in the salon, we’re developing the qualities of being problem solvers, being effective communicators and collaborators, and we’re building a solid work ethic,” Bettello said. “These are the kinds of benefits that these students pick up from completing the program.”

Neve Dieudonne is a junior who jumped into the popular elective program as soon as she was eligible.

”I’ve always had a passion for makeup and hair and styling and all that, so I thought I could make a career out of it,” she said. “This [program] is a great opportunity for that.”

Dieudonne enjoys the class for the skills she is picking up, but also said that having the elective in her schedule has been a positive on many levels.

”You could say cosmetology has boosted my morale around schoolwork in a way,” she said. “Coming in here, this is a fun thing to do in the morning and it gets me pumped for the rest of the day. The class always has me thinking, ‘I can’t wait to get to school tomorrow!’”

Bettello was quick to add, “It’s true, that students who get involved in CTE have a better attendance record overall, just to piggyback on what Neve said.”

As for CTE career pathways, cosmetology offers plenty. Dieudonne said her goal is to go the hairstyling route, getting licensed, and establishing herself by renting space in a salon. Through the WVHS cosmetology program students earn work-based learning hours that count toward their state licensing examination, which New York State requires of anyone looking to become a licensed cosmetologist.

”Students use cosmetology as a foundation, but the sky’s the limit to where they can end up,” said Bettello. “Besides getting licensed, students can get into being salon educators, they can choose to work for big cosmetic companies in different capacities.”

Wildcuts Salon’s first open-to-the-public date of the year is coming up on Nov. 2 and Bettello and her salon crew invite you to check for availability and plan a visit for a pre-holiday season styling. You can be an important part of Portrait of a Graduate outcomes, by coming in and supporting the efforts of these WVHS students pursuing their passion.

Editor’s Note: Portrait of a Graduate in Action is a weekly feature by the Warwick Valley Central School District.