BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer
PHOTOS BYSCOTT PILLING staff Above: Toni Ann Franzone, a cosmetology student at Old Bridge High School, works on the hair of classmate Jamie Moller Friday morning. At right: Christina Plutuckis rinses the hair of Elizabeth Giganti. Below: Stacy Carlson and Valentina LoVaglio practice their skills on the nails of Old Bridge residents during the cosmetology clinic Friday morning. OLD BRIDGE – A group of students at Old Bridge High School is spending three periods a day learning math, science, chemistry … and how to give a fierce hairstyle.
The three-year cosmetology program, taught by Robin Lecesse and Denise Kopek, is open to students from sophomore to senior years. One class period is spent on theory, which is taught in a traditional classroom setting and encompasses several traditional subject areas. The other two periods involve hands-on work, whether on a member of the public, another student, or a mannequin head.
“I always liked doing people’s hair, and I always liked boosting people’s self-esteem, making them feel better about themselves,” said Valentina LoVaglio, a senior in the program.
On Friday mornings, the program opens up as a clinic from 7:30-9:45 a.m. Anyone from the public is welcome to come and get the same services offered by a salon. Everything from a simple cut to color, highlights and perms are available, as well as services like manicures and pedicures, facials and waxing.
The fees for services are a small fraction of what salons would normally charge, and the money goes back into the program to help pay for supplies, which can become costly.
Students in the school’s television production class recorded a commercial for the clinic that airs on the local TV station.
The cosmetology students are required to maintain at least a 75 average in all of their courses in order to remain in the program. The requirement is stricter than that of students outside of the program, Kopek said.
“You’ve got to take everything pretty seriously when you’re in this class,” Kopek said.
The program is the only one in the school that culminates with the students obtaining a license, Lecesse said. It is also the only high school cosmetology program in Middlesex County.
In May, after completing 1,200 hours of hands-on training, the students are transported by the school to take the state exam.
“It’s a very difficult exam,” Kopek said.
Lecesse said 85 percent of the senior class is planning to attend college. She noted that she promotes business as a major for those who plan to pursue cosmetology as a career.
LoVaglio is taking her advice, planning to seek a degree in business management, marketing or education.
“I definitely want to do something with cosmetology – either open a salon or teach,” LoVaglio said.
LoVaglio is in the top 20 percent of her class, which affords her access to the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) program. The program awards high-ranking students with free tuition to any state community college for two years, provided that they maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in their first year. LoVaglio plans to attend Middlesex County College, Edison, then transfer to Rutgers or Montclair.
Toni Ann Franzone, another senior in the program, plans to attend Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown, for business management. She currently works six days a week at two salons, and said she has gleaned various important skills from the program.
“I learned how to communicate with people better,” Franzone said.
Aside from the skills necessary to pass the state exam, Franzone said the cosmetology course disciplines students to have a positive attitude, and to deal with the public in a professional manner.
LoVaglio agreed.
“Ms. Lecesse is a great teacher,” LoVaglio said. “I used to be very shy, and I’m a little more outgoing now.”
All of the 89 students currently in the program are female, though males are welcome to enroll.
“If they were smart, they would [enroll],” Kopek said. “Hello, a classroom full of girls!”
To schedule an appointment at a Friday morning clinic, call (732) 290-3900, ext. 3933.