A cut above other districts

Navasota High School is sharing its rewarding Career and Technology Education Program (CTE) with the community as the new Navasota Rattler Salon opened Thursday, Oct. 21.

The Rattler Salon, located at Navasota High School in the newly constructed CTE wing, is open to the community Thursdays from 4:30- 6:30 p.m. They will also be open the first Saturday of every month.

Navasota ISD’s cosmetology program is made possible by voters approving a $55 million bond project in November 2017. Phase two of the bond project accounted for $31 million of the funds that included the construction of the new CTE Wing as well as many other projects.

“The opportunities we have in our CTE program are really exciting,” explained NISD Superintendent Dr. Stu Musick. “It provides different opportunities for students that no matter what they are interested in or what they plan to do after graduation, there will be choices, opportunities and certification programs that prepare students to walk into a business or college.”

The Rattler Salon offers everything from a wash, cut and style to manicures and facials. Discounts are available for staff and students.

Cosmetology teacher, Brooke Behrends, stated students working the salon undergo a minimum of 100 hours of training. She said there are approximately 17 students who reached the hours. “The students are super excited to open, and I am really excited to see them start taking clients,” she said.

According to Behrends, students are trained on customer service foremost. They also learn haircutting, blow drying, thermal curling, hair coloring, nails, skin and more. Once students acquire 1,000 hours of training they can take the Texas State Board Cosmetology Exam to get their license. The program is available for incoming freshman through seniors. Currently there are 98 students enrolled in the program.

Dr. Carol Woehler, a former educator at NISD, was one first to get her hair shampooed, cut and styled at the Navasota Rattler Salon grand opening. “This program will definitely benefit Navasota,” she explained. “These kids leaving high school with certificates and ready to work as soon as they get out and the savings education-wise is a great benefit to Navasota.”

Allison Chapman, a teacher at John C. Webb Elementary School in Navasota, has seen her own son and daughter benefit directly from the CTE program. Chapman was enjoying a facial from her daughter Susan, who is in the cosmetology program.

“Susan has high-functioning autism, so she is very limited in a lot of areas of what she can do. But here in cosmetology, she has found a place where she can have a career and livelihood,” explained Chapman. “This is a place where she can be her best self, and that is what I think Navasota is offering – an opportunity for our children to become their best selves whether that is college or a trade. I don’t know where else you can get that.”

Chapman spoke of her son that is in the welding program and earned $2,000 in scholarships at one competition and hundreds of dollars at other competitions. “By the time he graduates he will not only have a welding certification, but he is planning on attending a welding school to further his education and he plans on living in Navasota. Not only is he going to graduate from Navasota, but he is going to come back and give to his community and probably raise a family here.”

Chapman said she thinks the CTE programs are fantastic for the community. “Navasota is a beautiful place to live and we’re creating an environment where these kids can come out of school and not only have an education but have a career.”

Gena Vela, a junior at Navasota High School, is in her second year of the cosmetology program. She said she wanted to enroll in the program because she really likes doing hair and also wanted to learn acrylics. “I like the fact we get to have a hands-on experience and that we learn how to take care of and run a salon,” she said.

Before enrolling in the cosmetology program, Vela said she wasn’t really engaged in school. “I always planned on being a cosmetologist and before I began the program I didn’t really engage in school.” Vella said the program gives her purpose and puts her on her career path ahead of schedule.

To schedule an appointment for the Navasota Rattler Salon, email behrendsb@navasotaisd. org. Find out more about the salon and pricing on the Navasota Rattler Salon Facebook page.