Springfield Public Schools on Tuesday hosted an open house to introduce its career and technical education (CTE) cosmetology program at Gateways High School, Brattain Campus. The CTE cosmetology program is a two-year program that students enter in their junior year of high school and receive professional training free of charge, leaving high school ready to enter the workforce. Students receive practical instruction each day with eight hair stylist stations, a nail station, barbering station and esthetician room. Gateways welcomed its first cohort of cosmetology students in fall of 2023.
Above, Alexis DeLuna is a 16-year-old junior in the cosmetology program whose focus is hairstyling. As part of the school’s first cosmetology cohort, DeLuna is able to graduate high school both with a diploma and the knowledge and skillset to take the Oregon State exam in her area of expertise. She hopes to one day open her own shop, but ultimately, Alexis’ big dream is to keep learning, to keep growing. This event was held during The Chronicle press deadline; check back next week for the full story.
