Cosmetology students take hairstyles to new lengths

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, March 19, 2009

A crowd gathered at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center recently to watch cosmetology students and their models parade on the catwalk showing off their talents and creativity.

More than 130 students participated in the event in the categories of evening, braiding/extensions and fantasy hairstyles.

"The students did an amazing job," said cosmetology teacher Pauline Szathmary. "We had several judges who were former students, local salon owners and stylists come in and they had an incredibly hard time picking the winners. There is so much talent here."

Ruth Gibson and Cathy Bonaccorso, the other two cosmetology teachers at the center, said their students have been working for weeks coming up with inspirations and techniques to impress the judges and the audience.  "They have been all working so hard, and it shows," says Gibson.

Winners from Niagara-Wheatfield were:

Evening category - Deanna Wait, stylist, first place; Kayla Jones, model, second place.

Fantasy category - Jessica Strong, stylist, first place; Kristen DeRose, model, second place; Madison Razzani, model, third place and Natalie Silvernail (Starpoint), stylist, third place.