As a thank-you for veterans, cosmetology students at A.W. Beattie Career Center’s training salon provided free haircuts for all members of the military, past and present, on Veterans Day.

The training salon, located at the school along Babcock Boulevard, is a full-service salon for students in the cosmetology program. This is the second year the school provided free haircuts for veterans, according to instructor Stevie Slogan.

“This event is very important to me to show the students how rewarding it can be to give back, but also how to organize an event with all the steps,” she said.

Veterans received a patriotic welcome at the salon, with students greeting them with free cookies, coffee and smiles. The students ended up providing 16 haircuts.

Rob Wilsman of Glenshaw received a trim by Shaylee Riggle, 18, a senior at Shaler Area High School.

Wilsman, who was drafted into the Army and served from 1971-73, heard about the event during a recent veterans breakfast at Shaler Area Middle School.

“It means very much to me. Any vet that comes through here very much appreciates it,” Wilsman said.

He shared some stories of being drafted with Lee Silnutzer, an instructor with the Emergency Response Technology program at Beattie, who also popped in for a visit. Wilsman talked about the draft process and that he wasn’t sent to Vietnam because that war was “winding down.”

Taylor Kane, 18, a senior at Pine-Richland High School, is a third-year student in the cosmetology program. While cutting a Navy veteran’s hair earlier that day, she learned about their experience and family life.

“She really appreciated it,” said Kane of the female veteran, who talked about moving to Italy soon because her husband is still an active military member.

Sharing stories may be one of the most important jobs of a hairstylist, and Kane and her classmates appreciated the time they spent with them that day.

“It’s important to support the veterans and thank them for their service and remind them that we appreciate what they did,” Kane said.

Shaler Area senior Ryleigh Meinert, also a third-year cosmetology student, agreed.

“You want them to feel good about their day and make them feel special,” said Meinert, 17.

Matthew Grabski of Shaler, an active-duty Air Force member and Slogan’s father, stopped in for a haircut.

Slogan, who has been an instructor for the program for two years, came up with the idea for free haircuts for veterans last year.

“The military is near and dear to my heart. I love supporting the military, and I feel it’s not recognized enough,” said Slogan, who lives in the Pine-Richland School District.

She uses the event as a teaching moment for her students, showing them how to host and plan for events and fundraisers.

The class braided hair for participants in the 10th Spin Your Wheels fundraiser at the Lauri Ann West Community Center to benefit Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pennsylvania.

They also have done hair “tinseling” at local parent and teacher fundraisers.

“They are really enthusiastic about giving back,” said Slogan of her students.

The salon also collaborates with the Supercuts franchise.

A.W. Beattie Career Center offers 19 programs for students to be college and career-ready after graduation and is open to students in 10th through 12th grades at Avonworth, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel Area, Hampton, Northgate, North Allegheny, North Hills, Pine-Richland and Shaler Area school districts.

To learn more about the center, visit beattietech.com.

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