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Picture perfect poses
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Michael Branch, 10, a fifth-grader at Discovery at Kirkmere, decided it was time to retire his mohawk in favor of a different look.
He got the new style – a low, even cut – Monday at Picture Perfect Hair Day at the school. Today is school picture day, and barbers and stylists from the community provided cuts for the boys and styles for the girls for free.
“I remember how important it is to have good hair for picture day,” said Kelan Bilal from Excalibur Barber in Southern Park Mall.
Principal Misha Scott arranged the event, inviting the hair professionals to the school via social media.
Last year, Discovery at Volney, where Scott was principal, invited barbers in for cuts for the boys. The girls complained they were left out.
Because girls’ styles usually are more involved and time-consuming, Scott wasn’t sure how to include them until she saw an Instagram post. A stylist in Alabama picked two styles, allowing girls in the community to pick one that she would do free of charge.
Scott worked with stylists in the community to select four styles from which the girls could choose: a double-bun style, an updo, one with braids down the back and a fourth with braids down the back and third braid in the front.
About 30 children signed up, getting permission slips signed by their parents.
“But when they go back to class and all of the other kids see them, you’re going to get flooded with kids who want their hair done,” she told the stylists.
Six stylists and four barbers volunteered their time and services for the day.
Doniecia Johnson of Beauty N Beyond; Leslie Axtel, Amber Smith and Kellie Alexander, all of Upscale Salon; and Jaimeela Montgomery, Letyah Stonework, worked on the girls’ tresses, while Bilal, Brandon Michael of Legacy Beauty and Barber in Liberty, Jamie Decembly from Excalibur and Lamont McDowell of Upscale handled the boys’ hair.
A smile spread across Saylor Askey’s face when the fifth-grader saw the new look Montgomery gave.
“It’s so cute,” the 10-year-old said.
Saylor picked an updo with a braid in the front. The stylist also gave her tips to keep the coif intact for picture day today.
“Sleep like a beauty queen,” Montgomery said.
She demonstrated by lying her forehead on her arms.
Caroline Weaver, 14, an eighth-grader, asked Johnson for the style with braids down the back.
“It looked pretty,” she said.
Johnson had to use extensions to create the look. She brought a suitcase full of supplies for the day: gel, ponytail holders, spray, extensions and other accoutrements.
Johnson said she’s always wanted to give back to the community and looked for ways to use her skills to accomplish that.
Montgomery agreed.
“It seemed like a good way to give back,” she said.
Stonework worked on the double-bun style for seventh-grader Hasia Jones, 13.
Stonework said she remembers picture day when she was a child and wanted to help others.
Michael participated in last year’s event at Volney and returned this year.
“I couldn’t get my hair cut at all when I was young,” he said.
Michael explained that he wasn’t in a good living situation.
He wanted to help young people, he said.
It was the second year for Bilal, too, but the first for Decembly.
“My niece and nephew go to this school,” Decembly said.
He knows it can be hard for mothers to get their kids to a shop for a haircut.
“It’s important to have a good haircut for picture day,” Decembly said.