Cosmetology students from three colleges compete at VGCC
Vance-Granville Community College hosted a Cosmetology Student Competition on April 1 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus. The event featured students from Halifax Community College and Piedmont Community College as well as from VGCC’s Main, South and Franklin County campuses.
Student stylists picked one of three categories in which to demonstrate their skills and creative flair: “Fantasy,” “Elegant Updo,” and “April Fool’s.” In the last category, students worked in pairs on the heads of mannequins rather than on live models. This competition required competitors to use a kit of items that were a “surprise” to them, as they fashioned hairstyles on the spot.
In the Fantasy competition, the winner was Jeremy Poole, a student from Piedmont Community College. Seana Faltz of Warrenton, a student at VGCC’s Main Campus, placed second. Third place went to another VGCC Main Campus student, Jasmine Blacknall of Henderson.
The champion in the Elegant Updo competition was Piedmont Community College’s Courtney Street. The second and third-place trophies went to two of her fellow students from Piedmont: Leslie Puryear and Kourtney Baker, respectively.
In the April Fool’s competition, the winning team consisted of Laquaanida Simmons of Durham and Shakera Hawkins of Butner, students from Vance-Granville Community College’s South Campus. In second place was another pair from VGCC South Campus: Shandrea White of Oxford and Jasmine Harris of Henderson. Coming in third was a team from Halifax Community College: Joy Parker and Keondra Arrington.
The winners received trophies and hair styling products and implements as prizes. Judges for the competition were Jason Turner of Baldies Barbershop, Leon Daniel, Shirley Peace and Margret Whitley, all of Renaissance Styles by Wallace, Vicki Holt and Loretta Kilduff of Fantastic Sam’s, Craig Geter of Geter Barber College, Richard Terry of Eastside Barber Shop, Dr. Terri Rowland of Salon Spa Training, Leslie Hargrove of The Master’s Touch, Lorretta Simmons of Icon Shears, Ann Wright of Skilz Unlimited, Tiffany Cash and Jennell Daye, both of Miracles Hair Salon & Barbershop, and Erin Grimes of The Hair Shack.
Ervin Davis of Durham served as master of ceremonies and commentator, as the models in the Fantasy and Elegant Updo competitions walked a runway to show off their designs. “Theory is just as important as practice if you want to be successful in the cosmetology industry,” he advised the students. “If you believe you are in the right place, it’s a great job and a great career.” The president of VGCC, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, was also on hand to present the prizes for Fantasy and Elegant Updo categories. She commended students for entering the cosmetic arts profession. “One of the greatest rewards is to find something that you love to do and, then, to be able to get paid for it, too,” she said. “Although only a few of you will get trophies today, all of you are on your way to great jobs. All of you will get your rewards when you get into your profession.”
Entertainment was provided by soloist Karen Alston, the Psi Phi Nu step team from Southern Vance High School, the Vance County Sliders and the VGCC Line Dancers. Also during the program, the winners of a contest among VGCC employees walked the runway to show off the makeovers they had received from the school’s Cosmetology students. The makeover recipients were Dr. Gail Ruby, a Physics instructor, and Catherine Andrews, a Main Campus library clerk.
The event also featured a showcase of local talent, which exposed area cosmetologists and barbers to the public. The organizations represented were The Master’s Touch of Henderson, owned by Leslie Hargrove, a VGCC graduate; and Geter Barber College of Henderson, with owner Craig Geter, business manager Tracie Dunston and three students demonstrating their cutting skills.
The VGCC Cosmetology department offers diploma and certificate programs in Cosmetology , Cosmetology Instructor and Manicuring/Nail Technology . For more information, contact Tomeka Moss at (252) 738-3357 .
Above: From left, Cosmetology students who won the top prize in their respective categories at the 2014 competition included Piedmont Community College student Jeremy Poole (Fantasy), with model Candace Nugent (seated in front); Piedmont Community College student Courtney Street (Elegant Updo), with model Brittany Jackson (seated), and a team of Vance-Granville Community College South Campus students (April Fool’s), Laquaanida Simmons (standing) and Shakera Hawkins (seated). (VGCC photo)
