Salon and spa services available to local community
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology student Abigail Crimmins-Abbe recently gave Ilion resident Jennifer Sanderson a haircut during class as Cosmetology instructor Holly Rotundo Fischer looked on and provided guidance.
The Cosmetology program runs a clinic that allows students to gain experience providing salon and spa services to members of the local community throughout the school year.
Crimmins-Abbe, a senior of Little Falls City School District, said the clinic is very helpful.
“It gets us ready to take other clients when we graduate and get our jobs,” she said. “It gives us the experience we really need.”
The clinic, named Salon Illusions, is open to community members by appointment only from 8:45-11 a.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Herkimer BOCES William E. Busacker Complex at 352 Gros Blvd. in Herkimer. To make an appointment or for information, call 315-867-2043.
Customers from school and the local community are invited to receive services including cuts, coloring, perms, manicures, pedicures, waxing and more from Cosmetology program seniors and adult students under the supervision of Rotundo Fischer and teaching assistant Sarah Jacquays-Alberts. The low prices of the services are used to offset the costs of putting on the clinic.
“The clinic takes students’ experience from working with mannequins up to the next level and provides the practice they need to work in a salon,” Rotundo Fischer said. “They can improve not only their cosmetology skills but also how to interact with customers.”
Cosmetology student Maddy Williams, a senior of Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District, said the clinic is a very helpful experience toward working in the cosmetology field.
“I don’t think I would be able to go right into work without it,” Williams said.
Cosmetology student Lily Gray, a senior of Central Valley Central School District, said the exposure of meeting people and making connections is another helpful aspect of the clinic that can benefit students’ careers.
“After graduation, we have opportunities to go out and start working,” Gray said.
Cosmetology student Elissa White, a senior of Mount Markham Central School District, was recently giving a haircut during class to Kaden Dennis, a Mount Markham senior in the Herkimer BOCES Automotive Technology program. White said she plans to work at a local salon after graduating, so she benefits a lot from the clinic, where the instructors can provide guidance.
“I think it’s really helpful because when I go into the real world, I won’t have this extra help from the teachers,” White said.
Cosmetology student Clarissa Zambri, a senior of Little Falls City School District, also said she plans to pursue a career in cosmetology and appreciates being able to participate in the clinic.
“It’s good because when you’re out in the work force, you’ll already have experience when you just start out,” Zambri said.
Cosmetology student Grace Koppany, a senior of Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District, said the clinic is “awesome.”
“I love it,” Koppany said. “I just love working with clients and doing hair.”
Cosmetology student Kayla Wellenstein, a senior of Mount Markham Central School District, recently worked on the hair of her mother, Jennifer Wellenstein of Cedarville, in class. Kayla Wellenstein said the clinic helps her practice life skills.
“I love it,” Kayla Wellenstein said. “It teaches us how to interact with people better, and I learn more things as I go.”
Jennifer Wellenstein said she was happy to see her daughter participating in such a hands-on experience.
“I think it’s really great that they’re able to learn something that they can use for work right after high school,” Jennifer Wellenstein said.
The Herkimer BOCES Cosmetology program also accepts adult students from the community, and they get to participate in the clinic as well.
Adult student Jazmin Humphrey, of Canajoharie, said she became interested in cosmetology and cutting hair from her mother doing it and decided to pursue it. Working with clients during the clinic is good practice, she said.
“It’s helpful,” Humphrey said.
Adult student Adriana Lowe-Ayala, of Salisbury Center, also said the clinic is beneficial.
“It sets you up on good career path,” Lowe-Ayala said. “The teachers are really supportive.”
Adult student Bri McGuire, of Mohawk, said taking the Cosmetology program and participating in the clinic has been more helpful for her than her college degrees.
“It’s fantastic,” McGuire said, about clinic. “There’s not that many times in your lifetime that you can get hands-on experience before going into the work.”
McGuire said she has always been interested in cosmetology, but took a different career path. Now, as a mother with three sons, she wanted to switch to a career where she could control her own hours.
“This will allow me to do that,” she said.
McGuire encouraged other students and local adults to try out the Herkimer BOCES Cosmetology program.
“It’s never too late to start,” she said. “Go for it.”
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology student Abigail Crimmins-Abbe (right), a senior of Little Falls City School District, gives a haircut to Ilion resident Jennifer Sanderson (middle) on Thursday, Oct. 20, as Cosmetology instructor Holly Rotundo Fischer (left) looks on.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology adult student Adriana Lowe-Ayala, of Salisbury Center, looks through a cosmetology textbook on Thursday, Oct. 20, in class.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology adult student Bri McGuire, of Mohawk, practices with a mannequin on Thursday, Oct. 20, in class.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology student Clarissa Zambri, a senior of Little Falls City School District, practices on a mannequin on Thursday, Oct. 20, in class.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology student Elissa White, a senior of Mount Markham Central School District, gives a haircut during class on Thursday, Oct. 20, to Kaden Dennis, a Mount Markham senior in the Herkimer BOCES Automotive Technology program.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology student Grace Koppany, a senior of Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District, practices on a mannequin on Thursday, Oct. 20, in class.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology adult student Jazmin Humphrey, of Canajoharie, practices on a mannequin on Thursday, Oct. 20, in class.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology student Kayla Wellenstein, a senior of Mount Markham Central School District, works on the hair of her mother, Jennifer Wellenstein of Cedarville, on Thursday, Oct. 20, in class.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology student Lily Gray, a senior of Central Valley Central School District, practices on a mannequin on Thursday, Oct. 20, in class.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Cosmetology student Maddy Williams, a senior of Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District, practices on a mannequin on Thursday, Oct. 20, in class.