For much of the first half of the school year, attention has been paid to detail in the Fairfield Cosmetology room. All of the naturally assumed movements such as steady hands, length, when and where to use product, all the way to just making sure whatever task is done is done well.
Details, details, details!
Those details now matter in a handful of new ways, especially for the juniors in the classes. Fairfield Cosmetology recently wrapped up its regional round of judging in the SkillsUSA competitions, a wake-up call for a few and an accelerant for others as the ambitions to reach Nationals is now on for a good portion of the Fairfield crew of juniors and seniors.
Overall, 19 Fairfield Cosmo students claimed state appearances in six categories: Barbering, Cosmetology, Nail Care, Esthetics, Job Demonstration and Job Interview. Those students are now primed to compete at the SkillsUSA State Competition April 19-20 in Indianapolis. Anyone advancing from the state competition will travel to the SkillsUSA Nationals in Atlanta in June.
One of those who has qualified for state is junior Elise Schwartz, who made the cut in Job Demonstration. Her actual work demo involved facial massage, specifically in the morning hours. Dermatologist proven hand techniques, lymphatic drainage and motion therapy were among the topics of discussion from her with the judges, which were impressed enough to move Schwartz along.
“How can I learn to be better for next year?” began Schwartz. “This is a new experience for me, and I want to be teachable. So I am letting that process kind of mold me this year, so next year I am ready for newer challenges. I am very excited to do what I can do, and actually excited to hear the criticism so I can shape the template for next year.”
Schwartz and the junior Cosmo class will soon take on a new series of challenges, that of live clients. Beginning in early March, those mannequins in the chairs the past six months will begin speaking and having opinions, which will be intimidating for some. Even the confident Schwartz had to pause a little about the prospect of community members in her care.
“I’m really excited in the diversity of the clientele,” Schwartz said. “I think the only difference is the age, but I am proud of the work I am putting in regardless of who is sitting in the chair.
“The community I have been surrounded with has been so helpful,” added Schwartz, who is also coming out of a manager’s role with the Fairfield wrestling program and moving into a girls tennis season where she was an All-State doubles player. “I haven’t been doing this on my strength, I have to give credit to God and what ability He has given me. My relationship with my parents, the community I have been blessed with. The overall support allows me to shine.”