Giving back this holiday season, Part 1

DECEMBER 19, 2019 | COLLEGE NEWS

Dayshawna Henry and other Pinellas Technical College students took time out of
their schedules to style 18 young ladies’ hair and nails for the annual Silver Spoon
Tea Party Weekend.

Pinellas Technical College St. Petersburg campus (PTC-SP) was ground zero for the 2019 Silver Spoon Tea Party Weekend. Eighteen girls from six different schools enjoyed a spa day in the state-of-the-art cosmetology studio Saturday, Dec. 7.

For six years, Terri Lipsey Scott, executive director of the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, has treated young ladies in the community to a weekend of pampering and fun. For three of those years, the Cosmetology program has been front and center, providing hair and nail services.

"We love to help Mrs. Terri," said April Barron, Cosmetology program instructor, "with her donation to our community of working with children that may not have the same opportunities as other children."

Barron is pleased with the opportunity the Silver Spoon Tea Party Weekend gives her students to work with the community and give back.

"We always love any kind of philanthropy that we can assist in. I think it's a wonderful program."

Scott had a vision for little girls in south St. Pete, who do not necessarily experience royal treatment, to have a chance to be princesses for a weekend, and PTC-SP is always happy to help.

"We love introducing ourselves to the young ladies and talking to them about hair and nail care, and maybe they may be interested in coming back as a student one day," said Barron.

Along with Barron, PTC-SP cosmetology instructor Tenise Crum and two professional stylists, joined eight students who volunteered their time to help make the weekend a success.

Dayshawna Henry just started the program in August and said she uses her time with the young ladies to teach them about caring for their own hair.

"I remember being a kid and getting perms, and nobody ever told me how important the upkeep was," admitted Henry. "We are damaging our hair all the time, and nobody is educating us about it."

Whatever Henry said to 11-year-old Kymora from Campbell Park Elementary must have worked because she has her mindset on becoming a cosmetologist.

"I told her if she wants to be a stylist to keep going at it, and to find anybody she can practice on," Henry advised little Kymora, who has already started working on her cousins' hair.  

 
Cathryn Miller enjoyed turning 10-year-old Victoria from Lakewood
Elementary into a princess.

Cathryn Miller will finish the Cosmetology program on Dec. 20, but before graduating wanted an opportunity to work with the young ladies.

"I was here at school last year when this event happened, but I was unfortunately not able to participate," she said.

Miller saw all the photos and heard the stories and knew she had to get in on the fun before graduating.

"It's such a great thing for all these girls to have this experience and feel what it's like to be a princess for a day. I wanted to be a part of that in whatever way I could."

Octavia Martin has been a licensed cosmetologist for 20 in California but has to take the course as a refresher before taking the Florida state exam. Her salon in the Golden State sponsored backpack giveaways, and free haircuts for going back to school and Christmas because "giving back is the most important thing to me."

Octavia Martin and seven other Cosmetology students volunteered
for the annual Silver Spoon Tea Party Weekend. Seen here styling
nine-year-old Marlie from Melrose Elementary.

Barron said PTC-SP Director Boe Norwood encourages his staff to do whatever they can to make sure the public knows the college is a stakeholder in the community.

"It's a win, win for us because we're not only helping programs and children, but it's also giving my students experience," she said.

Barron's students can get hands-on experience outside of working on mannequins. These opportunities also help students relieve the anxiety of touching people.

"We want people to know that we're here and competent, and our students are willing, able, and happy to see them," Barron stated.

What once took nine or 10 hours to complete with one stylist, the little princesses are coifed and painted within three.

"We hope they (PTC-SP) allow us to keep coming here because this covers everything," said Dana Battle, board chair of the Woodson Museum. We really appreciate Mr. Norwood. This is a God-send that we can bring them here."

The next stops on the Silver Spoon Tea Party Weekend express took the girls to the museum for arts and crafts, to the luxurious downtown Marriot Hotel where they enjoyed pizza and pajama parties and vision boarding. The next morning the pint-sized princesses had a crash etiquette lesson, were whisked off to a photo shoot, and ended the weekend at the St. Petersburg Country Club for an afternoon of tea.

With PTC-SP's help, 18 young ladies were able to participate in a potentially life-changing experience.

"The difference that we make in the lives of the little girls leaves such a lasting impression," said Scott. "Boe Norwood and April Barron made the magic happen."

The Silver Spoon Tea Party Weekend is just one instance of the cosmetology program giving back to the community. The students work with the Red Tent Women's Initiative helping formerly incarcerated women re-enter society with a fresh new look and give free hairdos to mentoring organizations such as the 5000 Role Models at Melrose Elementary and the Girlfriends of Pinellas at Campbell Park Elementary.

About the Cosmetology program

The Cosmetology program is a 1200-hour PELL eligible course that is featured on both the St. Petersburg and Clearwater campuses. Students are prepared for employment as cosmetologists with eligibility for Florida State Licensure.

If you are an instructor and would like your program featured, please call Lyn Johnson in the Office of Workforce Innovation at 727-893-2500 ext. 2655.