A fresh haircut can be a small thing that makes a big difference, especially when heading into a new school year.
Independence Community College Cosmetology welcomed local children to its Cuts for Kids event, providing 64 free back-to-school haircuts while giving ICC cosmetology students valuable hands-on experience working with younger clients.
“Going back to school is such an exciting time for kids, and something as simple as a fresh haircut can help them feel confident and good about themselves on that first day,” ICC Director of Cosmetology Chelsea Bailey said. “Cuts for Kids allows our students to use the skills they’re learning to do something positive for families in our community. We hope experiences like this stay with them as they enter the profession and encourage them to think about how they can use their skills to make a difference in their own communities.”
For ICC cosmetology students, the experience extended beyond practicing technical skills. Working with children requires stylists to make younger clients comfortable, communicate in an age-appropriate way and work with a parent or guardian who may be helping make decisions about the haircut.
Madison Gudde, an ICC cosmetology student who participated in Cuts for Kids, said seeing the children’s reactions made the experience especially rewarding.
“It’s really fun getting to see how excited they are when they look in the mirror and see their new haircut,” Gudde said. “We get to practice what we’ve been learning, but we’re also learning how to talk with younger clients, make sure they feel comfortable and communicate with their parents. It feels good knowing we’re getting that experience while doing something for kids in our community.”
Bailey said opportunities like Cuts for Kids help prepare students for careers in cosmetology by exposing them to different clients and situations they may encounter in the profession.
“At the end of the day, cosmetology is about people,” Bailey said. “Our students are learning how to cut and style hair, but they’re also learning how to listen, communicate and make someone feel comfortable in their chair. Cuts for Kids gives them the chance to develop all of those skills while serving our community.”
Cuts for Kids combines real-world learning for ICC cosmetology students with an opportunity to give back, helping local children begin the school year with a fresh haircut and added confidence.