Warsaw Area Career Center held an open house for their cosmetology school on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Text and Photos
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw Community Schools’ student-ran salon is one step closer to opening to the public.

A community open house was held for Warsaw Area Career Center’s Cosmetology School on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Lakeview Middle School. During the open house, students provided tours, answered questions, and offered sample services such as hand massages, scalp massages and hair tinsel applications.

Warsaw Schools’ cosmetology program was initially outsourced, but the hosting business, Inspire, closed in 2022. Since that time, WACC staff worked to develop an on-site program for Warsaw students.

“It’s been an eight-month process,” said WACC Director and Principal Ben Barkey on the salon’s creation. “There’s a long list of people who got us from Point A to Point B, so there’s a lot of gratitude for everybody who’s been involved.”

Barkey said Lakeview was chosen as the salon’s location to meet various state regulations, including a main entrance for the salon and access to water. The rooms WACC’s cosmetology school is in already had water hook-ups in place.

“Naturally we thought about Lakeview because some of our (WACC) programs are already here,” said Barkey.

In February, the cosmetology school was licensed as a Beauty Culture School by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.

Through the two-year program at WACC, students have the opportunity to acquire skills and hours necessary to pass a state licensing exam to become a licensed cosmetologist upon graduating from high school.

WACC Cosmetology Teacher Tina Streby said the program is open to juniors and seniors, with 12 juniors and 12 seniors participating in this year’s program. Students work five class periods in the program as juniors and three as seniors.

Streby already has 30 applicants from the Warsaw area for the 2023-24 school year.

“I’m just excited to be able to give this (program) to students that really need this, to give back to my industry is something I’ve wanted for a long time,” said Streby.

The salon offers services such as haircuts, perms, color, highlights, balayage, manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing and scalp massages.

WACC’s Cosmetology School will open to the general public for salon appointments beginning on March 15. During March, appointments will be available from 12:30-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Grand opening specials will be offered throughout the month as well. Cash and checks will be accepted for services.

After spring break, the salon will be open from 12:30-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Those interested in scheduling a salon appointment can call the WACC Cosmetology School directly at (574) 371-5085. Updates and periodic salon specials will also be posted on the WACC’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Carolyn Schnitz works on a mannequin. Students are required to work 200 hours on mannequins before doing any styling on people.