Cutting Class Helping JTED Students Realize Dreams
Pima County Joint Technological Education District Cosmetology School Helping Students with Big Dreams and Ambitious Goals

TUCSON - September 9, 2009 - Kahallyn Cain is making her dreams come true through Cutting Class.

Relax - it's not what you think! Cain, a senior at Tucson's Mountain Rose High School, is currently enrolled in the cosmetology program at the Pima County Joint Technological Education District (JTED).

For Cain, the program is more than she ever could dream for - the opportunity to attend cosmetology school while still in high school and have it all paid for. There's another huge perk Cain will soon take advantage of - the ability to get a real, paying job upon her graduation.

Cain and approximately 115 other Pima County high school students are enrolled this year at Cutting Class and at beauty colleges under contract to serve students throughout Pima County. JTED's Cosmetology Program is offered free of charge to all eligible high school students residing in Pima County, including students attending private, charter and home schools.

"This is a beautiful facility with state-of-the-art equipment," Marilyn Kressin, JTED's cosmetology program manager said. "We're providing a fabulous opportunity for students to be able to graduate high school and start working immediately in a career, and it's all paid for."

The free tuition is a substantial benefit to JTED's students considering the average tuition at beauty colleges throughout metropolitan Tucson range from $15,000 to $18,000.

Cain is ambitiously planning on making the most of her opportunity. She plans to combine her skills as a cosmetologist with her interests in fashion design, photography and modeling in order to control nearly every element necessary to launch her own clothing line.

"I don't follow trends, I set trends," the confident Cain said. "Ever since I was young, I stood out and never fit in, so I've decided to work with that and use it to my advantage."

Cain says she's looking forward to the rigorous 1,600 hours of instruction she will complete in a year to become certified to take the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology exam.

"I'm not an average teenager," she said. "I'm willing to give up my life right now so that I can have a good life in the future."

Cain will soon begin building up her clientele. Cutting Class will start accepting clients in mid-October. The student salon's phone number is 520-352-2970. All services will be provided by students under the supervision of a licensed instructor.

"I hope people will take advantage of our affordable prices," Kressin said. "Our students will need the public's help to perfect their skills."