Showing they care with hair

The haircuts for charity may become a regular event at the school.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CHAMPION -- Kathy O'Brien walked out of the cosmetology lab at Trumbull Career and Technical Center a little lighter than she went in.
Senior Sarah Minor, 17, of Lordstown sheared nearly 14 inches off of the TCTC fabric service instructor's hair Friday morning. The dark tresses, which nearly reached the center of O'Brien's back, will be donated to Wigs for Kids, a Rocky River, Ohio-based nonprofit organization that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair either from cancer treatment or other health conditions. The wigs are provided at no cost to the child's family.
"Oh, good riddance," O'Brien said as Sarah chopped off the first locks. "This is wonderful."
After Sarah finished, O'Brien sported an above-the-shoulders, face-framing coif.
"I love it," the instructor said.
TCTC senior cosmetology students spent the day cutting hair for those who made appointments and for walk-ins. To donate, hair must be at least 10 inches long. The stylist secures it into ponytails to trim if off.
Considering more events
This marks the second time TCTC students have cut hair for donations to the organization. But Rosalyn Gault, a cosmetology instructor, said she and fellow instructors Cheryl Cornich and Annette Austin may make it a semiannual event.
"That way people will know that it's coming and be able to grow their hair if they want to donate it," Gault said.
Wigs for Kids was established in 1993 by hair designers Jeffrey and Zina Paul of Rocky River, who made their first wig for their niece who was being treated for leukemia.
Melissa Jones, 15, a sophomore at Lakeview High School, visited TCTC this week as part of the school's career days. She learned about the Wigs for Kids donation and decided to get her long blond tresses trimmed for the cause.
Heather Hazel, 17, a senior from Lakeview, lopped about 14 inches of Melissa's hair, shaping it into a long-layered, textured, chin-length style.
"Some children can't grow their hair," Melissa said. "I can grow mine so I thought that if could donate my hair to someone who can't grow theirs it might mean something."
denise.dick@vindy.com