The Grant Career Center cosmetology students recently participated in a local SkillsUSA contest to earn a spot on the team competing at regional competition in early March. The students were competing for the opportunity to represent Grant in the SkillsUSA Cosmetology contest where they will showcase their skills in haircutting and styling.

Grant Career Center cosmetology local SkillsUSA competition winners are Stacy Faddis, DeeAnna Dameron and Brittney Taylor.
Eight junior and senior students participated in the competition that included a written test and a technical haircut and style on a mannequin. The participants received an instruction sheet with the representation of a cut and style that they were to interpret and to recreate in a given amount of time.

The styles were graded and the cut was checked for accuracy by guest judges Jessica Chase Stone, a Grant Career Center cosmetology graduate who is currently working as a stylist at Great Clips in Milford at Rivers Edge and Chelsea Lindsey, a stylist at Great Clips at Eastgate Crossings.

First place honors and a spot on the regional competition team were won by DeeAnna Dameron, a junior from Bethel-Tate High School. DeeAnna plans on working in a salon and continuing her education at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College where she plans on majoring in Business Management. Her goal is to one day own and operate her own salon.

DeeAnna said of her win, “I was very nervous and somewhat intimidated because I am only a junior and we were competing against seniors. I just wanted to do my best and prove that I could handle the challenge.” DeeAnna is preparing for the March 5 competition by completing haircuts with instructor Mrs. Messner and searching for the perfect up-do style to showcase her skills.

Second place honors were awarded to junior Brittney Taylor (Felicity-Franklin), while third place was earned by senior Stacy Faddis (Williamsburg).

All students found the contest experience to be a valuable learning experience. Senior student Jessy Oakley felt it enhanced her education by allowing her the opportunity to follow someone’s instructions and do all the work by herself.

“I appreciate the fact that our styles were evaluated and we could see areas of improvement. It was great to see how far our skills have come since we began the cosmetology program. It was a great encouragement.”