REQUEST

Mon
23

I’m not sure entirely what made me decide to make such a life changing decision, nearly twelve months ago, when I decided to come here to Gene Juarez Academy. For nine years I have been a stay at home mom. Before that, I was an office manager for a construction company for several years. I really had no experience in the cosmetology industry aside from the occasional hair color I performed on myself and my friends. But when my son went off to school, I did some serious thinking about where I wanted my life to go professionally. Did I want to go back to a dead end job that I really didn’t enjoy? Or did I have the guts to completely change the course of my career, and learn to do something I actually liked?

Well as you can see, I decided to take a chance, and at the age of thirty-seven, I am back in school. Over the past twelve months, I have learned a lot about the cosmetology industry, as well as about myself and my future goals. I have learned I respond well to challenge. In fact, I thrive on it. From Design, to Technical, to CAD and out onto the floor, Gene Juarez Academy has continually challenged me to be the best that I can be. I have the courage and the confidence to try all sorts of new things now. My initial jitters at starting a new career at my age, have all but disappeared. I absolutely love doing hair! I love the feeling I get when someone leaves my chair, feeling like a new person. I am very thankful that I decided to take a “left turn” so to speak, and try something new in my life. It is the best decision I have ever made! I feel more than ready to start the next chapter in my life………I can’t wait to head out into the workforce!

TAGS: artistic,beauty school,community outreach,competitions,cosmetology training,creative,design class,fashion show in bellevue,free haircuts and manicures,Fundraiser for Haiti,gene juarez academy,Gene Juarez Academy,gene juarez academy student,GJA South Campus Academy Artistic,gja student,graduation,New Class at GJ Academy,runway hair,state board exams,Student Ambassadors,student ambassadors,student artist featured for achievements,United Way,winners,

Sun
22

Today was such a fun day! I just got back from this year’s United Way Day of Caring Community Service Exchange. I went with a team of Gene Juarez students and educators down to the Qwest field to offer free haircuts and manicures for folks. People were helping people in all kinds of ways, from free glasses prescriptions, to new clothes, to doctor referrals, to back rubs. It was so exciting to be a part of a huge community event that was all about helping each other out.

All day I got to give basic manicures to all kinds of people. Every 20 minutes I had the privilege of hearing someone else’s story as I cared for their hands and nails. I was totally inspired by their stories of how they were caring for themselves and their families even when they had lost their jobs or their homes. It was enjoyable for me to do something as simple as give a hand massage or polish nails, and know that it helped make their day special. I look forward to how many other ways we can continue to blend the values of community service and activism with our love for cosmetology.

TAGS: artistic,beauty school,community outreach,competitions,cosmetology training,creative,design class,fashion show in bellevue,free haircuts and manicures,Fundraiser for Haiti,gene juarez academy,Gene Juarez Academy,gene juarez academy student,GJA South Campus Academy Artistic,gja student,graduation,New Class at GJ Academy,runway hair,state board exams,Student Ambassadors,student ambassadors,student artist featured for achievements,United Way,winners,

Sun
22

The other ambassadors & I meet the new design class today. They are really nice but pretty quiet. I love being able to meet them because it reminds me of how I felt starting out. It’s so encouraging to see drive and anticipation for a new career.

The next school day, Izzy & I had lunch with the new design class. We had fun talking about hair cutting and finals coming up. It’s crazy to believe that was me a couple months ago!

TAGS: artistic,beauty school,community outreach,competitions,cosmetology training,creative,design class,fashion show in bellevue,free haircuts and manicures,Fundraiser for Haiti,gene juarez academy,Gene Juarez Academy,gene juarez academy student,GJA South Campus Academy Artistic,gja student,graduation,New Class at GJ Academy,runway hair,state board exams,Student Ambassadors,student ambassadors,student artist featured for achievements,United Way,winners,