June 4, 2019
Lee Fuller
The Calhoun County Career Academy is based here in Jacksonville; however they serve students from the seven high schools in the Calhoun County School System. Their mission is to prepare students for success in the workplace, in further studies, and in life. They focus on teaching their students responsibility, integrity, and teamwork. Recently, Sherry Laster, a member of the Jacksonville City School board of education and the cosmetology and barbering instructor for Career Academy, thought about contacting local salons about a scholarship opportunity. Ms. Laster stated “I love exposing my students to different opportunities in the beauty industry, we do field trips, we do virtual field trips, we visit the nursing homes, we volunteer at the boys and girls club in Jacksonville, Halloween at the community center, and for FREE haircuts for kids in July. Yes free haircuts for any student in Calhoun County!! We did 75 last year and we invite different hairstylist around Calhoun County to come and work a couple hours to donate time and talent to help get kids a haircut before school starts!! We also offer $5 dollar haircuts and many other services during the school year to the public”. Ms. Laster is also a local business owner who owns the Perfect Touch Hair Salon. Below are the three salons currently participating in the scholarship program as well as this year’s recipients:
Donators:
ENVY SALON- owner NIKI VANHATTEN
VISIONS SALON owner MELISSA TWIGG
THE NEIGHBORHOOD SALON owner SANDY STEWART
Recipients:
HALEY DECKER SR at WELLBORN
CHOLE BURT SR. at ALEXANDRIA
Ms. Laster stated that she hopes this can be done each year, she went on to state “These salons are investing in our cosmetology students and want to keep our industry skills passed on to deserving students”.
To participate in the scholarship program please contact the Career Academy and Ms. Laster specifically.