COLUMBUS, Ohio — One Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center instructor and her students are getting creative to combat COVID-19.

What You Need To Know

  • The cosmetology class has been working a decades project

  • All of the students' styles were showcased during a parade

  • Infection control has always been a part of the curriculum outside of the pandemic

Kacie Carr and her classmates haven’t been able to go on field trips this year due to the pandemic, but their cosmetology instructor Donna Patrick is bringing an experience to them.

“We’ve been working on a decades project. We’ve worked weeks on end trying to get the outfits and hairstyles prepared,” said Carr. 

Students showcased their styles during a parade, sharing their inspiration and history within their decade to House District 92 State Representative Mark Johnson. Johnson, himself, is specialized in construction — a trade skill like cosmetology.

“I’ve always been an advocate of the career and technology center, and it’s just amazing the adult programs they have here. It’s all about opportunity,” said Johnson. 

Patrick said it’s been challenging to teach a trade as intimate as cosmetology during a pandemic, but sanitization has always been a part of her lesson plan.

“The first thing I always teach is infection control, not because of the pandemic, but because of cosmetology,” said Patrick. 

It’s the attention to health and safety that’s allowing Carr and her classmates to have a parade of hair and further their skills in-person.

“We wouldn't be able to get the technique down without Ms. Patrick’s help,” said Carr.