- Sponsorship -

Event designed to build self-confidence with free hairstyling

Alums, professionals help students look and feel good

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. 

2001 Kelloggsville graduate James Miller, Jr., said he has enjoyed connecting with the students by providing free haircuts

“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.

2012 Kelloggsville graduate London Reynolds works on a student’s hair

“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

Fifth-grader Ithalia Torres gets her hair done by stylist Kacey Thompson

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.”

Read more from Kelloggsville: 
New STEM space provides cutting-edge opportunities
New CNA course offers hands-on look at health care career

- Sponsorship -
Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Joanne Bailey-Boorsma is a reporter covering Kent ISD, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, Forest Hills and Comstock Park. The salutatorian for the Hartland Public Schools class of 1985, she changed her colors from blue and maize to green and white by attending Michigan State University, where she majored in journalism. Joanne moved to the Grand Rapids area in 1989, where she started her journalism career at the Advance Newspapers. She later became the editor for On-the-Town magazine, a local arts and entertainment publication. Her eldest daughter is a nurse, working in Holland, and her youngest attends Oakland University. Both are graduates from Byron Center High School. She is a volunteer for the Van Singel Fine Arts Advisory Board and the Kent District Library. In her free time, Joanne enjoys spending time with her family, checking out local theater and keeping up with all the exchange students they have hosted through the years. Read Joanne's full bio

LATEST ARTICLES

Related Articles

- Sponsorship -

Issues in Education

Same family, different major goals

Twins Christian and Xander both have big plans for the future, yet you won’t find them working together. We recently spoke with the pair about their (very individual) dreams and how their school is helping them get there.

Making Headlines

- Sponsorship -

MEDIA PARTNERS

Maranda Where You Live WGVU

SUSTAINING SPONSORS