By Magen McCrarey
Staff Writer
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. —
Haircuts, make-up, manicures and pedicures galore. Ten South Laurel Middle School girls were selected to be in the Positive Image Club at the school, and received makeovers from the Cosmetology students at the Somerset Community College- Laurel Campus South.
Each year, a different group of girls from sixth to eighth grade are hand-picked by teachers at South Laurel Middle to participate. Girls who need a bit of extra attention and pampering, explained Nancy Elliott, parent educator and sponsor of the club.
Club members are visited by a London business person each month. One of the past visitors was Judy Mays-House of PaperDolls Ladies Boutique, who brought each of the girls an assortment of Bath and Body Works products.
Every time the girls receive a gift, they are asked to write thank you notes to uphold the club’s motto of “beautiful inside and out,” said Carla Monhollen, parent educator and club sponsor.
In a couple months, the club will be visited by Mary Kay consultants to educate them about the importance of skincare.
“It’s amazing” said Teresa Burkhart, a seventh grader. “These people are awesome and I love my haircut. I love how they fixed it and my make-up.” Burkhart had her hair cut like the character Alice from the box office hit Twilight.
SCC cosmetology students have also benefitted from the experience, said instructor Jacqueline Coffey. Each middle school student had a cosmetology student assisting them. They took “before and after” photos of the students affirming the techniques and skills they have as professionals.
“It’s rewarding to them. They get one-on-one experience on how they can really uplift somebody,” Coffey said.
Youth Service Director for South Laurel Middle, Charity Fuson said, “As one of the young ladies returned to school, she stated, “this is the best day of my life.”
“It’s all about self-esteem and building a positive self-image. Young girls have a hard time, and this just really builds it up,” Coffey said.
This is the second year Positive Image Club has collaborated with the SCC cosmetology students.
mmccrarey@sentinel-echo.com
