Kelloggsville — Senior Angelina Cadena had one goal at the annual Kelloggsville Community Celebration: to get her hair braided.
“I have never had my hair styled like that before,” Angelina said. “So that’s why I came. I played outside, I had some fun and I am getting braids.”
For about 20 years, Kelloggsville has hosted the annual fall Community Celebration event, designed to bring students, staff, alumni and the community together through a variety of activities including inflatables, booths hosted by school and community groups and a dinner.
One of the newer activities is hair braiding, which made its debut at last year’s event.
“It can cost $30 to get hair braided and sometimes families can’t afford that when they are also trying to get school supplies,” said Malissie Henry, a 54th Street Academy counselor. Having professionals at the event makes parents feel comfortable in having students get their hair braided, she added.
“It is also important for students to be able to see people who are like them, and not like them, braiding all types of hair and doing the work,” Henry said. “This is a possible job, a possible career.”
Look Good, Feel Good
London Reynolds, a 2012 graduate from Kelloggsville’s 54th Street Academy, said she understands how having hair that is styled and looks good can build self-confidence.
“I think a lot of the kids want to look good,” said Reynolds. It was through working with her children’s hair that she became a loctician, someone who specializes in the care and maintenance of dreadlocks. “You feel better when your hair looks good.”
With 27 years of experience, local barber and 2001 Kelloggsville graduate James Miller Jr. said he knows that if a person “looks good, they’ll feel good.” That’s why for the past few years he has provided free haircuts at the annual event.
“It’s kind of fun to connect with the students and they get to know who I am, so as they are walking down the halls they connect the person to the awards I received,” said Miller, referring to the athletic accomplishments listed in the school from his days participating in several sports there.
He started cutting hair in middle school and discovered he had a knack for it, so he made it his profession. When talking to students, Miller said he is honest, telling them the job involves “working hard to achieve a lot.”
“They get it free here, but once they realize they can get money for doing hair, they are like, ‘Maybe I could cut hair.’”
Support the Community, Showcase Your Art
In front of Miller, fifth-grader Ithalia Torres sat in the chair as stylist Kacey Thompson prepared her hair for braiding.
“I saw that everybody was doing it and then I realized I had a cheer game coming up and didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my hair,” Ithalia said. She decided on the braids when she saw other people getting theirs done.
Thompson, who has worked and planned similar hairstyling events, said she has seen the impact of such events on the community by helping to bring people together. For the students, she said, hair is a major driver of their self-assurance.
“I think this is a great opportunity,” said Miryja Martin, owner of Magnetic Beauty. “It gives you the opportunity to show your work, to show your art and you can support the community.”
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