WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.

More than 60 Carver High School students and educators stood in line to get their hair shaped up or groomed for graduation day when 16 students from the Winston-Salem Barber School volunteered four hours of their time to serve the Yellow Jackets on Friday, June 9. Bryce Sherman, an alumnus of Carver High School and youth violence prevention manager of the City of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks, collaborated with LaTonya Moore, the director of the Winston-Salem Barber School on Silas Creek Parkway to combat violence in our schools.

“The purpose of this program is to combat bullying, and we do this all year. This is the second time we have come to Carver. In August, we will offer services to all Title I schools,” said Sherman. “This idea came to my mind to get barbers to volunteer to cut hair because it will reduce bullying, reduce the number of students wearing hats and hoodies during school, and it will raise self-confidence and self-esteem, because when you look good, you are good.

“Very often students make fun of other students whose hair is not as well groomed as it should be. This program will help to reduce this negative behavior.” 

For Director Moore, this was her first time working on this anti-violence project, but she and her students were eager to participate.

“Participating in this project gives our students at the barber school a chance to offer their services in a different setting, instead of always cutting hair at the school. The barbers can become mentors for the Carver students and become a positive influence on the students,” said Moore. “They need to share their skills with others, to show how they can be positive and professional with their influence.

“Since this field trip pertains to our curriculum, the students will receive school hours for their volunteering today. We are completing the last four hours of our field trip,” Moore said. “The students were eager to come to serve. They are always eager to get a change of atmosphere.”

Some students were on campus to complete assignments or exams, but others joined the line to get their hair groomed for various reasons. Senior Jon-Patrick Switzer came to campus to complete his speech as president of the senior class of Carver. He wanted to present his speech in English and in Spanish, so he came to get help with his interpretation. He will attend Morehouse College to major in business and finance in the fall.

“When I heard about the haircuts, I headed to the third floor. What a great idea! They are helping African American and Hispanic boys to get a haircut. Some of us may not be able to afford a haircut right now. When you look good, you feel good,” said Switzer.

Tradin Allen, 20, of Wilkesboro has earned 900 hours thus far in his study program at the barber school. He was working alongside Kai Boddie, 20, also of Wilkesboro. Boddie has 1200 hours so far.

For Switzer, Allen was giving him a medium taper and a design in the back of his neck. Allen and Boddie enjoyed meeting the Carver students.

“I was excited about participating in this project when I heard about it. I really enjoyed it,” said Allen.  

“I enjoy being able to share my skills with the young men from Carver High School,” said Boddie.

Ninth grader Fatru Washington heard Assistant Principal Tillman talking about the free haircuts. He was interested in getting a high taper, so he jumped in line.

“This is a great idea. It is hard for some people to get haircuts. Having the barber come to you makes it more convenient. I thanked Jeffers for the professional cut,” said Washington.

Bryson Jeffers, 20, was eager to provide the high taper for Washington. Jeffers currently has 1240 hours completed in his program.

“I was excited to come. I have never done this before. I live in Kannapolis and I drive here each day. I planned to volunteer my services in the community in order to build my client base. I plan to be a full-time barber,” said Jeffers.

Jeremiah Ferguson, sophomore, wants to be a barber after he is trained to do so. He was glad to meet Jeffers. Jeffers advised Ferguson to practice cutting hair with both hands, even though Ferguson injured one of his hands when he wrecked his Harley Davidson. Jeffers allowed Ferguson to cut his hair, so Jeffers sat in the barber’s chair so he could experience Ferguson’s skill of hand.

“I feel that the barbers are doing a great service here today. They are showing me what I want to do in the future,” said Ferguson. “I appreciate this opportunity to network with these barbers.”

Assistant Principal DeWayne Tillman was thrilled to see Bryce Sherman and his barbers coming to serve at Carver Nation. “This is an outstanding grant program. They see the need for our students to have this exposure. You feel as you look and you look as you feel,” said Tillman. “Next year, we will be bringing Sherman to partner in the community to continue to find ways to give back.”