Veterans thanked with lunches, haircuts
Career Center opens restaurant, salon
Veterans who signed up for a free haircut get their hair shampooed before their cut Nov. 11. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
MEDINA – Many schools recognize Veterans Day with an assembly or a meal for veterans, but the Medina County Career Center is able to go a bit further.
This year, veterans who made reservations had the chance to get both a free haircut from cosmetology students and lunch from the school’s student-run restaurant.
This is the first year haircuts were offered and the second year for lunches, said Christine Kurth, MCCC community relations coordinator.
Previously, an assembly for students was held on Veterans Day, but the school wanted to try something different.
“We wanted to reach out to veterans, welcome them in our school, thank them in person,” she said.
While waiting for lunch, Rich Hamblen, a veteran who also serves as a substitute teacher at the school, said he thought the school’s efforts shows students and staff are committed to honoring the day.
“The school gets it, they understand what veterans have done for them ... quite a few graduates go into the military. They respect the military,” he said.
Becky Hambley, cosmetology instructor, said about 25 veterans received haircuts during the morning and afternoon sessions. She said a few didn’t realize the school had a salon beforehand and some said they might return.
“They were thanking us,” Hambley said. “It’s nice to do something nice for the community.”
One customer, Don Dula, of Medina, said he heard about it while at the senior center in Medina. Although he had his hair shampooed beforehand, there was little left after his stylist put her clippers down.
The veterans also received patriotic stickers made at the school by graphic arts students and cookies from the culinary students.
The commercial truck class also commemorated the day by constructing a giant American flag on a school wall, with students and staff writing down the names of veterans on the flag’s stars and stripes.
This year, veterans who made reservations had the chance to get both a free haircut from cosmetology students and lunch from the school’s student-run restaurant.
This is the first year haircuts were offered and the second year for lunches, said Christine Kurth, MCCC community relations coordinator.
Previously, an assembly for students was held on Veterans Day, but the school wanted to try something different.
“We wanted to reach out to veterans, welcome them in our school, thank them in person,” she said.
While waiting for lunch, Rich Hamblen, a veteran who also serves as a substitute teacher at the school, said he thought the school’s efforts shows students and staff are committed to honoring the day.
“The school gets it, they understand what veterans have done for them ... quite a few graduates go into the military. They respect the military,” he said.
Becky Hambley, cosmetology instructor, said about 25 veterans received haircuts during the morning and afternoon sessions. She said a few didn’t realize the school had a salon beforehand and some said they might return.
“They were thanking us,” Hambley said. “It’s nice to do something nice for the community.”
One customer, Don Dula, of Medina, said he heard about it while at the senior center in Medina. Although he had his hair shampooed beforehand, there was little left after his stylist put her clippers down.
The veterans also received patriotic stickers made at the school by graphic arts students and cookies from the culinary students.
The commercial truck class also commemorated the day by constructing a giant American flag on a school wall, with students and staff writing down the names of veterans on the flag’s stars and stripes.