Career Center offers clinics to give students experience

Ronnica Golson worked slowly and carefully on her customer's hair Saturday and for good reason: Katelyn Brissey is Golson's history teacher at the Aiken County Career and Technology Center.

"I'm not really nervous," Brissey said with a smile, but Golson admitted she was a little anxious.

"I'm doing my teacher's hair," she said. "If I mess it up, I'll have to look at it all year."

Career Center cosmetology teacher Trina Greenwood and nail technology instructor Kortney Jenkins hosted their first community clinic of the school year Saturday. Their students kept busy with perms and other hair services, as well as manicures, pedicures, facials and much more. Greenwood is starting her 12th year at the center and Jenkins her third.

"We do need more clients," Greenwood said. "The more we get, the better our students are going to be."

As juniors last year, the current seniors spent time at the clinics, but this was the first time for them to take on their own customers. Visitors can get services at a reduced rate, and all proceeds go to the purchase of professional products.

"The class has been great, and we're like a family now," said Golson. "I'm learning a lot, and it will be good for my future. I plan on going to USC Aiken and majoring in graphic design but will be doing hair all through college. I can make some good money doing hair and might keep on doing it."

Brissey, a USCA graduate, said she enjoys teaching at the Career Center.

"These kids are more driven and responsible and know what they want to do in life," she said.

Grace Poplin, another senior, isn't actually attending her home school at South Aiken High this year. She's involved in dual enrollment, taking morning classes in math and psychology at Aiken Technical College and coming to the Career Center in the afternoon. Poplin plans to study communications in college.

"But I really like doing hair and nails, and it's been really good here," she said. 'It's a lot more hands-on than I thought it would be. I'm serious about pursuing it as a career."

The cosmetology and nail programs at the Career Center offer the same instruction as private schools, Greenwood said. Students can get certified before finishing high school.

"We're just helping younger children here, helping them to gain responsibility and do the right thing," said Greenwood. "We tell them it doesn't matter if they never use the license. But many people are stuck in jobs with no other options. We want our students to know they need a backup plan like this."

Greenwood and Jenkins have set up the Saturday clinic schedule for the remainder of the school year. Each session is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates - Oct. 2, Nov. 20, Dec. 4, Jan. 22, Feb. 5, March 12, April 30 and May 14.

The clinic floor is also open each Wednesday through Friday from noon to 2 p.m. with some time restrictions based on the services sought. On those days clients must sign in at the front office.

The instructors especially appreciate the teachers and staff members who visit the clinics, among them Kim Hart, the work-based learning liaison. She's been a regular for the past 11 years.

"It's really good experience for the students," she said. "They can practice before getting out in the real world. I tell all my friends to come on by. It's a lot of fun and the prices are great."

For more information and registration, call 593-7302.

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.