With a keen interest in drawing and painting, senior Alex Ferguson uses the human face as a canvas for her own artistic interest. She improves her cosmetology skills through a program, showcasing her eye for fashion and sense of self-expression. Ferguson opened her options for the future by making connections and meeting new people. Through her efforts and natural ability, the seventeen year old has already been offered a job in the field.

Ferguson attends cosmetology classes at Georgie International Beauty Institute located in Cuyahoga Falls, where she learns nearly everything performed in a salon. Ferguson noted that some of her specific duties include facials, manicures, pedicures, hair cutting, hair styling, makeup applications and perms. By the time she graduates from the institute, she will have learned how to do extensions, apply fake eyelashes and other in-depth procedures as well.

Discovering Georgie International Beauty Institute through Revere, Ferguson has been there eight months. During her time thus far she has improved her life in many ways. Ferguson noted the benefits of her involvement in the program.

“It has taught me a lot of good lessons and has introduced me to a lot of amazing people who have helped me through some rough times. It has made me a happier person. [Georgie] allows me to gain knowledge that not a lot of people know about. It is helping me help other people and giving me insight on things I can use later on in life. Overall, it is a very rewarding experience,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson’s supervisor Samantha Bonsignore spoke about Ferguson as a student.

“[Ferguson] is a bright student. She is a very energetic seventeen year old who deals beautifully with balancing so much [such as] high school, extracurricular activities and cosmetology school,” [supervisor] said.

Though Ferguson does not know if she will pursue a career in cosmetology, she plans on using the skills she has learned to pay for college. She noted a potential career may be in the wedding business where she can practice both hairstyling and makeup application. Ferguson has narrowed her college choices to either Kent State University or Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia.

In addition to working with the school’s clients, she has worked on her family, fellow RHS senior Leia Gertz and choir teacher Doctor Deborah Devore. Gertz commented on her experience as a client.

“It was really friendly. Everyone was really welcoming and pretty casual about everything,” Gertz said.

Gertz has visited Ferguson three times. The first time Ferguson practiced giving facials, the second time Ferguson used Gertz as a model for her makeup application grade, and the most recent time was for a manicure for the RHS Homecoming Dance. Gertz talked of her first impression of the institute.

“You could definitely tell that it was a learning environment. There were a lot of classrooms and a lot of separate stations for everything,” Gertz said.

Bonsignore spoke of Ferguson’s duties in the 1500 hour program, a basic training program.

“The 1500 hour program has an intense basic training Pioneer program [taught] in 320 hours. [Ferguson] covered a lot of theory and practical material to be eligible to work on clients. [Ferguson] learned all of her basic skills in skin, nails, cutting, classic styling, chemical styling, chemical texture and hair color. [Ferguson] is currently in the advanced stages of our program, working on clients Monday through Thursday and learning advanced techniques [She also takes] business-geared classes every Saturday,” Bonsignore said.

Ferguson has utilized the skills she has learned in Revere extracurriculars such as Revere Players. She has managed the makeup for the Revere Players and assists in hair styling for the cast. The makeup for Players can apply basic techniques; however, Ferguson noted the difficulty of turning a person into an animal or making him or her appear old. Ferguson comments on her role for the club’s production of the musical the Wizard of Oz.

“For the Musical, I will have the honor of creating the faces of the lion, the scarecrow and also the tin man. I look forward to these fun challenges and the rest of the makeup challenges that go along with the musical,” Ferguson said.
While meeting many new people and gaining exposure in the workforce, Ferguson has many success stories. She commented on some her most proud work and experiences.

“One of the services that I am most proud of was the up-styles and makeup applications that I did for Homecoming [dances] on girls my age. . . My favorite services in the beauty business are makeup application and styling hair. . . I am also very proud of my braiding ability. When I first arrived at the school, I was the only person that knew how to braid hair. After a while people started asking me to show them, and it felt wonderful to spread my knowledge,” Ferguson said.

While gaining tangible experience in cosmetology, Ferguson not only benefits in performing the kind of art she loves, but she also limits her college expenses. While helping her friends and family, she uses her skills to benefit Players and hopes to attend fashion club meetings. Ferguson makes her mark by encouraging self-expression and contentment.