The Future Looks Beautiful for Cosmetology

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By Diamond Harp

On May 19 the Cosmetology Students of Irvington High School will take their State Board Writing Exam and hope to receive their Cosmetology License. Cosmetology Teacher Stacey Amato is continuing to prepare her senior students for this exam.

According to Cosmetology.Net, after finishing cosmetology school, most states require you to pass a standardized cosmetology exam in order to receive your license. The cosmetology exam consists of a written portion and a practical portion. This two-portion format ensures that receiving your license doesn't simply require memorizing a list of facts, but allows you to demonstrate your capabilities. The written portion requires you to understand a broad spectrum of cosmetology fields, and the practical portion is strictly judged, so passing can be a challenge.

The senior students have been preparing for about three years now and are determined to graduate the class with their license. The senior students were very lucky to  be admitted to this program because it's offered free at Irvington High School.

"People outside the class think all we do is play with mannequins all day, but trust me that’s not the case," said Ladana Sherwood, a senior in the program.

Ladana says some of her friends that don’t take the class say the classes are extremely easy and they don’t do serious work. She explains that there is a lot involved in this class; it includes chemistry, math, biology and more.

"This class is one of my hardest this year," says Keysean Starkley, also a senior.

Keysean explains that you can’t slack off in Cosmetology and you have to put effort into your studying in order to pass. “I has no doubt about passing the practical, it’s just the written I’m concerned about,” says Keysean.

According to cosmetologyschool.net, in the beauty industry, cosmetologists is more than just hair stylists - they are on the cutting edge of trends and styles in hair and beauty techniques, and they can transform their clients from average to spectacular in one sitting.

"I push my students because I know what they’re capable of. I know they can pass this test and I’m confident they will," said Ms. Amato.

Ms. Amato says she knows her kids inside and out by now. She doesn’t want them to have come all this way just to give up. “There are no excuses at this point,” says Ms. Amato.

According to Ms. Amato, cosmetology is a field that people like to make a career of because there will always be business. “Even in a recession, people will come to get their hair, nail, and skin cared for.”