Calais’ clubs offer students a chance to come together and engage as they explore new skills and interests.  Students have several club options to choose from including sewing, sports, nature, art, photography, origami and more.

On Wednesday afternoons, students in the cosmetology club benefit from hands-on experience in the exciting and creative cosmetology industry.  Among other skills, students are learning how to style hair, give facials and manicures. In a typical meet-up, students might practice a new technique or style on mannequins, other practice surfaces and even themselves.

Recently, Calais student Patricia learned the steps for executing some new hairstyles. First, she worked on a mannequin and then she learned to style her own hair. Club advisor Melissa O’Shaughnessy also taught the students about benefits of different facials and how they can improve the skin. Students learned about facial techniques used by estheticians which they then applied to their faces.

During the manicure part of the club, students learned to not only use nail polish but also nail art to create beautiful nail designs, said Ms. O’Shaughnessy, who also works as a Calais paraprofessional.

Patricia smiled as she styled a mannequin’s hair. She later looked in a mirror and styled her own hair and said she was happy with the results. Patricia and several other students in the club said they are considering pursuing careers in cosmetology and were really learning a great deal from the club.
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