Beauty college prepares students for career in cosmetology
Lookin' good
By Joanne Fox, Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, July 06, 2008
Le Mars Beauty College student Shawndra Beukelman of Orange City, Iowa, finishes up a cut and curling iron set for Evelyn Kallsen of Le Mars. (Staff photo by Jerry Mennenga)
LE MARS, Iowa -- The joint was jumpin' one Friday afternoon with numerous colors, cuts, curls and coifs for clients of the Le Mars Beauty College.
Two wedding parties were receiving pedicures and manicures, giggling in the pre-vow excitement. Other customers were getting their locks trimmed or hair set for the weekend. Students in black smocks tended to their clients' needs, sharing the upbeat atmosphere.
Megan McMillen of Orange City, Iowa, brought her wedding party to the Le Mars Beauty College to get their nails and toes done, a day before her wedding to Joshua Malenosky of Sioux City.
"I thought this would be a fun way for everyone to get to know each other," she explained. "There's nowhere in our community that all of us could do this and it was too long to drive to Sioux City so this was a good option for us."
Le Mars Beauty College (it originated as Tyler Beauty School in 1960), located in the heart of this Plymouth County seat, has been training and preparing both male and female stylists for decades. Rod and Sheila Anderson have owned and operated the college since 1969. Hundreds of students have graduated and gone on to careers in the field of cosmetology.
However, Rod didn't begin his career as a hairdresser. Rod went to Worthington Junior College for two years and worked for Phillips Petroleum Company. Sheila is a graduate of Stewart's Beauty School in Sioux City. The Andersons married in 1963 and Rod continued his education at Morningside College, graduating in 1967 with a business major.
Sheila said she thought Rod was "crazy" when he enrolled at Tyler Beauty College, but didn't oppose the decision. At the same time Sheila opened Sheila's Boutique in Sheldon, Iowa. After his beauty school graduation, Rod was approached by Roger Tyler about buying the school and the deal was done.
Pretty piggies
The biggest change in the beauty salon industry that Sheila has observed is the spike in pedicures. Right now the college has one station that can handle seven pedicures. Three more could be easily added.
"I think women tend to pamper themselves more and more work outside the home and don't have the time for that," Sheila said. "We also see older women who can no longer bend over to paint their nails or have challenges with their hands that make painting their fingernails a problem."
Enrollment remains pretty static at the college, Rod said. He recalled the 1980s as the only time the number of students were down. The college has 37 students currently enrolled with 14 more coming in September.
"Every fall, I go into the area high schools and recruit," Rod said. "I'll call on counselors to encourage them to suggest cosmetology as a career."
Jess Wurr of Holstein, Iowa, attended college for two years, pursuing a degree in education, before she decided to enroll at Le Mars Beauty College, primarily for the smaller, "family" atmosphere.
"I've always wanted to be a cosmetologist," the 2005 graduate of Galva-Holstein said. "College didn't work out for me, so I decided to go with my gut instincts and enroll here."
Entrance requirements
The college has three classes a year beginning in January, June and September. Students must have a high school diploma or GED certificate before being admitted. In addition, each student must be at least 17 before enrollment, Sheila said.
"I think there's a bad perception that beauticians don't have to be 'smart' and choose us because they had trouble in school," she said. "We've had valedictorians attend here. So, it's been my experience that our students are more creative, more visual learners than book learners, and tend to have better communication skills than others."
It's more than just learning how to put polish on a nail or wrap a hunk of hair around a curler. Students study chemical hair straightening, sanitation, Iowa law, business management, poise, personality and grooming, professional ethics, anatomy, chemistry, wigs and hairpieces.
Sandy Rol of Sioux City spent 35 years with the Iowa Workforce Development Center, retiring in December 2006 and enrolling at Le Mars Beauty College in January 2007. She graduated in 2008 and is pursing her accreditation as an instructor.
"I always wanted to cut hair," the 63-year-old said, gesturing. "I couldn't take classes while I was working, but once I retired, I knew it was what I would do."
Students must complete 2,100 hours, pass the college's final exam and pass the state's board exam. Students can complete the course in about 14 months, Sheila estimated, spending about eight weeks in the classroom, working on mannequins, and then advancing to "the floor," doing everything from perms to waxing to ear piercing. Cosmetologists are obligated to complete continuing education credits to maintain their licenses.
Cosmetology as a career
The goal of the Le Mars Beauty College is to produce for the cosmetology profession knowledgeable and skilled individuals who will be prepared with necessary fundamentals to enter any phase of the industry. Students learn about shampoo, facials, makeup, scalp treatments, manicuring, nail and nail disease, hair coloring, bleaching and permanent waving.
Rod continues to teach the hair-cutting classes. Sheila teaches basic and theory. Their daughter Kim Hanson is another instructor. Their son Todd Anderson has owned the Mantrap Beauty Salon, directly across the street from the college, for a number of years. Their grandson Jaz Hanson will start school in September. Other instructors are Pat Holz, Melissa Rush and Megan Brown.
"It's a good profession for women because it can be a flexible work schedule once they have a family," Sheila said. "We encourage the students to work for someone else before they consider opening their own business, but we have a number of students who are successful business owners."
Le Mars Beauty College, located at 128 Central Ave. SE, is open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Saturday. Call (712) 546-4195 for information or visit www.lemarsbeautyschool.com.
Beauty Colleges
Less than two dozen beauty colleges provide education those interested in the field of cosmetology in the State of Iowa. In addition to Le Mars Beauty College, there are these options for students in Northwest Iowa:
Faust Institute of Cosmetology
506 Erie St.
Storm Lake, IA 50588
Phone: (712) 732-6570
Faust Institute of Cosmetology
807 Lake St.
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Phone: (712) 336-3518
Iowa School of Beauty
3320 Line Drive (new address; relocated after Memorial Day)
Sioux City, IA 51106
Phone: (712) 274-9733
Two wedding parties were receiving pedicures and manicures, giggling in the pre-vow excitement. Other customers were getting their locks trimmed or hair set for the weekend. Students in black smocks tended to their clients' needs, sharing the upbeat atmosphere.
Megan McMillen of Orange City, Iowa, brought her wedding party to the Le Mars Beauty College to get their nails and toes done, a day before her wedding to Joshua Malenosky of Sioux City.
"I thought this would be a fun way for everyone to get to know each other," she explained. "There's nowhere in our community that all of us could do this and it was too long to drive to Sioux City so this was a good option for us."
Le Mars Beauty College (it originated as Tyler Beauty School in 1960), located in the heart of this Plymouth County seat, has been training and preparing both male and female stylists for decades. Rod and Sheila Anderson have owned and operated the college since 1969. Hundreds of students have graduated and gone on to careers in the field of cosmetology.
However, Rod didn't begin his career as a hairdresser. Rod went to Worthington Junior College for two years and worked for Phillips Petroleum Company. Sheila is a graduate of Stewart's Beauty School in Sioux City. The Andersons married in 1963 and Rod continued his education at Morningside College, graduating in 1967 with a business major.
Sheila said she thought Rod was "crazy" when he enrolled at Tyler Beauty College, but didn't oppose the decision. At the same time Sheila opened Sheila's Boutique in Sheldon, Iowa. After his beauty school graduation, Rod was approached by Roger Tyler about buying the school and the deal was done.
Pretty piggies
The biggest change in the beauty salon industry that Sheila has observed is the spike in pedicures. Right now the college has one station that can handle seven pedicures. Three more could be easily added.
"I think women tend to pamper themselves more and more work outside the home and don't have the time for that," Sheila said. "We also see older women who can no longer bend over to paint their nails or have challenges with their hands that make painting their fingernails a problem."
Enrollment remains pretty static at the college, Rod said. He recalled the 1980s as the only time the number of students were down. The college has 37 students currently enrolled with 14 more coming in September.
"Every fall, I go into the area high schools and recruit," Rod said. "I'll call on counselors to encourage them to suggest cosmetology as a career."
Jess Wurr of Holstein, Iowa, attended college for two years, pursuing a degree in education, before she decided to enroll at Le Mars Beauty College, primarily for the smaller, "family" atmosphere.
"I've always wanted to be a cosmetologist," the 2005 graduate of Galva-Holstein said. "College didn't work out for me, so I decided to go with my gut instincts and enroll here."
Entrance requirements
The college has three classes a year beginning in January, June and September. Students must have a high school diploma or GED certificate before being admitted. In addition, each student must be at least 17 before enrollment, Sheila said.
"I think there's a bad perception that beauticians don't have to be 'smart' and choose us because they had trouble in school," she said. "We've had valedictorians attend here. So, it's been my experience that our students are more creative, more visual learners than book learners, and tend to have better communication skills than others."
It's more than just learning how to put polish on a nail or wrap a hunk of hair around a curler. Students study chemical hair straightening, sanitation, Iowa law, business management, poise, personality and grooming, professional ethics, anatomy, chemistry, wigs and hairpieces.
Sandy Rol of Sioux City spent 35 years with the Iowa Workforce Development Center, retiring in December 2006 and enrolling at Le Mars Beauty College in January 2007. She graduated in 2008 and is pursing her accreditation as an instructor.
"I always wanted to cut hair," the 63-year-old said, gesturing. "I couldn't take classes while I was working, but once I retired, I knew it was what I would do."
Students must complete 2,100 hours, pass the college's final exam and pass the state's board exam. Students can complete the course in about 14 months, Sheila estimated, spending about eight weeks in the classroom, working on mannequins, and then advancing to "the floor," doing everything from perms to waxing to ear piercing. Cosmetologists are obligated to complete continuing education credits to maintain their licenses.
Cosmetology as a career
The goal of the Le Mars Beauty College is to produce for the cosmetology profession knowledgeable and skilled individuals who will be prepared with necessary fundamentals to enter any phase of the industry. Students learn about shampoo, facials, makeup, scalp treatments, manicuring, nail and nail disease, hair coloring, bleaching and permanent waving.
Rod continues to teach the hair-cutting classes. Sheila teaches basic and theory. Their daughter Kim Hanson is another instructor. Their son Todd Anderson has owned the Mantrap Beauty Salon, directly across the street from the college, for a number of years. Their grandson Jaz Hanson will start school in September. Other instructors are Pat Holz, Melissa Rush and Megan Brown.
"It's a good profession for women because it can be a flexible work schedule once they have a family," Sheila said. "We encourage the students to work for someone else before they consider opening their own business, but we have a number of students who are successful business owners."
Le Mars Beauty College, located at 128 Central Ave. SE, is open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Saturday. Call (712) 546-4195 for information or visit www.lemarsbeautyschool.com.
Beauty Colleges
Less than two dozen beauty colleges provide education those interested in the field of cosmetology in the State of Iowa. In addition to Le Mars Beauty College, there are these options for students in Northwest Iowa:
Faust Institute of Cosmetology
506 Erie St.
Storm Lake, IA 50588
Phone: (712) 732-6570
Faust Institute of Cosmetology
807 Lake St.
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Phone: (712) 336-3518
Iowa School of Beauty
3320 Line Drive (new address; relocated after Memorial Day)
Sioux City, IA 51106
Phone: (712) 274-9733
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peter wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:23 AM:
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