Cosmetology student takes flight, looks for career takeoff

Carmen Russo
Posted 6/9/16

After three years of competing in the SkillsUSA state competition, Katie Morrison, 17, won the gold and will compete in the national championship later this month. Along with the other state gold medallists, Morrison will fly to

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Cosmetology student takes flight, looks for career takeoff

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After three years of competing in the SkillsUSA state competition, Katie Morrison, 17, won the gold and will compete in the national championship later this month.

Along with the other state gold medallists, Morrison will fly to Louisville, Ky. for the SkillsUSA nationals, which will be her first time in an airplane. She is competing in esthetics and will perform a timed skin consultation, facial treatment and makeup application in front of a panel of judges, all while following specific sanitary regulations.

“I’m just nervous because I feel like it’s a lot of pressure,” she said. “But since I made it this far, I know I’ll do well.”

To prepare for the competition, Morrison practices on her model, Ashley Howard, who will also travel to Kentucky. Throughout the practice sessions, Morrison’s love for cosmetology has impacted Howard, who is also a student at the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center (WACTC). Next year Howard plans to compete in esthetics for the first time.

“I’m happy that I could help her discover that because she told me she never would have tried this,” said Morrison.

After a year at Toll Gate High School, Morrison joined the cosmetology program at WACTC. She enjoys the hands-on learning experience and is happy to practice the skills she loves. Morrison has always been passionate about hair and makeup. Her own long blonde hair fell neatly down her back and her black eyeliner was carefully flicked into a wing at the corner of each eye.

“I learned to braid on a My Little Pony doll when I was little,” she said. “I always had this innate desire to be in beauty.”

After passing a practical exam last week, Morrison is on track to receive her cosmetology license soon after she returns from the Louisville trip. She currently works as a receptionist at Studio B salon in Garden City and would like to start taking clients there once she is licensed. Morrison and her parents are grateful for the WACTC program, which has allowed Morrison to get a head start on her dream career.

Morrison is soft spoken, but she did not hesitate to talk about her goals and plans, sounding determined and focused. After gaining some work experience, Morrison plans to attend college for a degree in cosmetic and fragrance marketing. She would like to work for a makeup brand and develop new products but is also interested in channeling her creativity to design packaging and advertisements. In the future, Morrison sees herself living somewhere in England, preferably in Brighton by the beach. She admits being nervous for the plane ride to Kentucky, but insists it is only the beginning of her travels.

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