Students from the Fairfield High School Cosmetology Program traveled to Kansas City to represent Indiana June 23-26 at the National Skills USA Competition. The students were representing Indiana in two categories: Esthetics and entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship team consisted of Jennifer Schrag and Alicia Yoder from Fairfield High School, Yaritza Barrientos from West Noble High School and Breanne Walls from Wawasee High School. The students began to work together in February to prepare this team event testing students’ knowledge in starting their own businesses by developing business plans that identify needed products or services in a local market.

Emphasis is placed on financial planning and practicality of service. Teams give oral presentations based upon their written plans and the team must successfully answer questions by a team of judges in response to typical problems encountered by entrepreneurs during their first year of business.

The students were excited to hear their name called at the awards ceremony as silver medalist, taking second place in the nation. “We were not surprised that our girls did a great job,” stated Lisa Firestone, instructor. “They worked so hard and came together as a team in a way we never expected.”

Fairfield Cosmetology also represented Indiana in esthetics with Haley Angel and Kassie Perzanowski from Wawasee High School as the reigning Indiana team. Esthetics competition evaluates the contestants’ techniques and professionalism in the field of skin care. Students are tested in several different areas; an oral skin consultation; a written exam covering the fundamentals of skin care; sanitation; skin analysis; a hands-on basic facial demonstration; and a day time and fantasy make-up application.

Angel and Perzanowski did an exception job and placed 11th in the nation. “We are so proud of Haley and Kassie and the effort and patience that is in involved in tis competition. They represented Indiana in a professional and skilled manner and we look forward to what the future holds for them,” stated Angie Higginbotham, instructor.

The students involved in Skills USA participate first in a local competition at their own school. The winners of the local competition then travel to one of six regional sites to compete with the best from their area.

The winners from each regional come together in Indiana to battle for first place, as only the first place winners in each of the 96 Skills USA competitions move on to nationals. While in Kansas City, students were astounded to find there were 5,600 other students competing from all states and commonwealths. There were many activities besides the competition including training classes, community service projects and a night at an amusement park.