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Life - Buzzz

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Safavi Institute teaches, motivates students of cosmetology

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Amanda Wells comes from a long line of hairstylists.

At 18 and a graduate of Denair Charter Academy, Amanda is one of many training to become a beautician at the Safavi Institute of Cosmetology and Esthetics, a Paul Mitchell Partner School in Modesto.

More than 100 students are enrolled, and 300 have been enrolled since April 2007 when the school opened. After graduating, students often find jobs in salons around the valley, many times due to assistance from the school.

"I'm happy when I come here," said Amanda, who began her training in March and expects to graduate in February. "I love the culture."

I could not agree more. During my tour of the large, modernly decorated school, I was cordially greeted by nearly every person whom I passed and was dazzled by the motivational posters hung neatly on the walls. Tubs of colored markers were set out on the classroom tables, and the "encouragement wall" in the break room was completely covered.

"We're all about celebrating each other," Amanda said.

Kelsey Furtado, 19, a graduate of Gustine High School, said that she enjoys being out on the floor, taking clients. Her typical day consists of theory class, specialty class, and working with clients in the afternoon.

"It's a really welcoming environment," she said, noting that she attended Modesto Junior College for one day before her sister suggested the Safavi Paul Mitchell program.

To apply for the school, you must have completed your GED or have graduated from high school.

Cosmetology is one of the avenues available at the school. Makeup, haircutting, hairstyling, and aesthetics are taught over the course of 1,600 hours.

Otherwise, you can choose to study only aesthetics and become a skincare expert. Aesthetics requires 600 hours. These hours can be completed during either day or evening classes.

Jenny Hayes, 17, a graduate of Manteca High School, started the program in early September and is set to complete her studies in July. She said that each week has a different theme, like haircutting. Right now she is part of "Core," the first step of the program. Once she has completed about 200 hours of training, she will move up to "Adaptive" and, after that, "Creative."

The school offers many services to the public as a way to provide experience for its Future Professionals, as its students are called. The reasonable prices on haircuts, hair coloring, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and facials, etc., seem to be a good deal.

"Our industry is meant to make people feel good about themselves," Amanda said.

And it is this same philosophy that the John Paul Mitchell brand, along with this particular school, extends to communities in numerous ways. The Special Olympics, Locks of Love, and the American Red Cross are just a few of the organizations to benefit from their generosity.

The students, too, benefit greatly.

"It just makes me happy," said Jenny, who had first planned on a four-year college but then switched to the Safavi Paul Mitchell program.

Kelsey agreed.

"When I came here, I fell in love with it."

The Safavi Institute Paul Mitchell Partner School is located at 3100 McHenry Avenue. Go to www.paulmitchellmodesto.com or call 577-0644 for further information.

Maggie White is a freshman at Valley Charter High School and a member of The Bee's Teens in the Newsroom journalism program.