Tulsa Tech and BA Team Up
By KARA GAE NEAL
Superintendent
JUST A TRIM: Tulsa Tech students have found a way to give back to the community by providing free haircuts to others.
Courtesy Tulsa Tech
Students in Tulsa Tech’s cosmetology program, along with students in the barbering program, both study their craft in preparation for careers involving the latest trends and styles. These two outstanding programs allow students to explore their creative talents and build a strong foundation for a lucrative position in a billion-dollar industry. Students work in state-of-the-art facilities with actual clients and are encouraged to develop a personal style while utilizing good customer service skills.
In addition to learning skills for exciting new careers, the students at Tulsa Tech also learn the importance of volunteering and giving back to their community. During the first week of December a group of students and instructors from both programs partnered with Broken Arrow Public Schools to provide free haircuts to children and adults at Oak Crest Elementary School.
Hollee Killingsworth, a cosmetology student from Union High School feels that everyone benefitted from this great event. “The kids were really sweet and everyone enjoyed getting a free haircut,” Killingsworth said. “It was also a great opportunity to practice with real clients.”
One of the coordinators for the event, Gayla Nida, executive director of elementary instruction for Broken Arrow Public Schools, thought the event was a huge success. “We were super excited to be able to provide this service to our Oak Crest community through the generous spirit of giving from the Tech students,” Nida said. “I’d like to say thank you again to everyone from Tulsa Tech and Broken Arrow Schools for helping us to assist our families with this community service project.“
According to Tyson Thompson, barbering instructor at Tulsa Tech, these types of activities provide an important environment for each student. “In our class we teach students about helping others and how important it is to become involved in their community,” Thompson explained. “This type of event allows the student to experience this and places them on a platform where they can be observed not only by clients but by the public and the people who may be interested in attending Tulsa Tech.”
Haley Copeland, a cosmetology student from Broken Arrow High School, enjoyed seeing the reaction of each person after they had received a haircut. “There were so many big smiles,” Copeland said. “We could just tell that everyone enjoyed getting their hair styled and we could see that so many parents were especially thankful.”
The future will certainly offer many options to the graduates of these exciting programs, with various opportunities to showcase their individual creative tastes and styles, but more importantly, their ability to help others will never go out of style.
“It just gives you a great feeling inside,” Haley Nap, a cosmetology student from Broken Arrow High School said. “It’s always a good feeling when we’re able to help people, but during the holiday season it’s especially nice.”
Tulsa Tech is committed to training students for exciting new careers and providing opportunities to build a better community. We invite you to visit Tulsa Tech today to explore a new career, help your community as you learn new skills, and discover exactly what style is right for you. Please visit us at www.tulsatech.edu or give call at 918-828-5200.
Updated 01-17-2011
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