After being delayed due to an inclement water pipe, the Chestermere high school’s cosmetology class managed to to right and go ahead with its annual Mother’s Day Makeover.
The concept started simple enough — to reward a deserving mother with a hair styling, manicure and all the fixings for a true ‘do. Students submitted a paragraph telling why they were deserving and selected from a draw.
Grade 10 student Mandy Camus’ mom Connie was chosen from entries from within and outside the school. Her entry was as follows:
“Ever since I was born, my mom made it her first priority to make sure my sister and I had everything we needed in order to have a happy and healthy lifestyle. Even if it meant she had to sacrifice her own needs and wants. She always made it really important that my sister and I felt confident in everything we do. Being the easily influenced young girls we were, we always felt we weren’t as pretty as the other girls, or had long enough hair, or the newest clothes. But my mom did everything in her power to fix these feelings of not being good enough. Whether it was getting our hair done or simply talking to us about how proud she is. These things may not seem important, but I am so thankful to have a mom who fully supports me in everything I do and allows me to have a relationship with her where I can talk about anything that's on my mind. I truly can’t express how much of an incredible, amazing impact my mom has made on my life already. Having said this, even though my mom may not work 14 hour days and travel all the time like some other parents, I can say that my parents moved to Alberta with nothing in their pockets and took a chance at life. Everything they have today, they have worked their hardest at to make sure my sister and I grew up with better opportunities than they ever had, and for that I could not thank them enough and show them how proud I am of everything they have done. But maybe a simple makeover for her, that I truly believe she deserves, can show my appreciation. Especially with Mother’s Day coming up, and me not being able to afford anything that will nearly match what she’s done for me, this is worth a shot!”
According to mom Connie, “it’s awesome but a little overwhelming.
Although Mandy is enrolled in the program, only Grade 12 students are permitted to do the work.
According to teacher Melody Mcintyre, the purpose of the event was to raise awareness of the school’s Client Services program, where local residents can have services performed for the cost of products.
The cosmetology program is in only its third year at the school but graduates receive 50 credits from the Alberta government that allows them to take their apprenticeship and proceed into the workforce as a certified esthetician. It’s recognized by the trade and apprenticeship board.
According to Mcintrye, it adds up to an incredible value because all the work is personally inspected by herself, who is a journeyman. Hair cuts start at $10 and colouring goes for $20.
“It’s good service for a good price,” she says. “I think because they are students and they are learning, it takes a bit longer. But you get a good deal at a good price. In some ways it’s better than a salon.”
