WJHS Expanding Career-focused Clubs for Students

The day is over, school is out, and while most of the students at Washington Junior High School have gone home, Emarion Harris has stayed.

On Mondays after school, you can find Emarion inside a classroom, still learning. He is just one of the group of students who participates in the school's Lights on For Learning Program (LOFL).

While LOFL has been around for many years, it's the new clubs being offered this year that has the school seeing a large interest from students.

This year Barbering Club, Hair Braiding Club, and Sewing Club are being offered.

"We noticed a lot of our students are very talented and their future career might just lie in barbering, sewing, or hair braiding. Regardless of the economy individuals will always need to get their hair cut, or hair style. If we assist students in perfecting their craft at a young age they can make really good money, build great relationships, and have fun in the process," said Larry Harris, the LOFL Program Coordinator at WJHS.

Barbering

Emarion has found an interest in barbering and attends every week. Students who attend Barbering Club get their own clippers, liners, guards, brushes, disinfection spray, and oil sheen thanks to LOFL funds and private donations.

The class is taught by George Todd who owns Supreme Legacy Barbershop.

Students learn about the importance of sanitizing equipment, the different tools used for barbering, and customer service. Students even get to learn and try barbering techniques on their peers and others who volunteer. In the future students will get the opportunity to take field trips to the instructor's business.

barbering

Emarion sanitizes his barbering equipment.

barbering

Hair Braiding

Hair Braiding Club is taught by Lakeesha Worthey from Ace of Braids Hair Studio. Much like barbering, students get their own mannequin head and stylist kit.

The community partners model techniques and the professionalism that is required to be successful in the field.

Mr. Harris says students are buying into the clubs, "There has been nothing but excitement, enthusiasm, and ownership in the program so far."

hair braiding

Sewing

For most of the students in the sewing club, this is the first time they've ever learned how to sew. The instructor is LaShay Moore from Moore Divahs.

Students have learned how to operate a sewing machine and have started making basic designs. Students have made lounge pants and will design jeans from scratch and a blanket in the future.

Ms. Moore hopes to hold a fashion show later in the year of all the student's designs they're created.

Students get their own sewing kit.

These clubs are open to all students who have demonstrated interest in these fields. There is a cap of 15 students. Both Barbering and Hair Braiding are currently closed due to max capacity and there is currently a waiting list of interested students.

"We want students to get the skills and knowledge they need to successfully own and operate their own business," said Mr. Harris.

Mr. Harris says the clubs have a deeper purpose. During meetings students and staff have discussions that talk about life skills, time management, accountability, character building, and overall how to become a decent human being.

"At WJHS we want to prepare students for college, career, and life," said Mr. Harris.