The gym at St. Aloysius School in Cleveland was rocking on Aug. 24 as more than 125 families turned out for the “Back 2 School Bash.”
The event was coordinated with The Urban Barber Association and the Diocese of Cleveland Office of Education.
More than a dozen barber stations were set up ready to provide free haircuts. School officials said more than 125 haircuts were given to faculty, staff, parents, students and others in the community by student barbers from LaBarberia Institute of Hair in Mayfield Heights. TUBA coordinated the haircuts with the barber school.
(See photo gallery above.)
Waverly Willis, TUBA founder and executive director, said the partnership with the diocese creates a great venue to engage with young people. It’s one of many community events TUBA participates in.
“Getting young people in the chair for a cut always presents a good opportunity for positive interactions and conversations that can encourage and empower our youth. Helping them appearance-wise is just one way we can help our students embark on the path to a successful school year,” he added.
TUBA and the education office also collaborated on similar events at two other Cleveland schools: Aug. 10 at St. Adalbert School and Aug. 17 at St. Rocco School. Families from nearby parishes were invited to attend. The Archbishop Lyke, Holy Name and St. Stanislaus school communities were welcomed at St. Adalbert and Metro Catholic, Our Lady of Mount Carmel (West) and St. Ignatius of Antioch schools were invited to the St. Rocco event while St. Francis, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Jerome schools were invited to the St. Aloysius event. No one was turned away.
“When we heard about the event, we were interested in doing it,” said Monique Dancy, St. Aloysius dean of student affairs. “We’re glad to have it. We have the space and it’s important to reach out to the community,” Dancy said. “We do a lot of serviced projects with the parish, school and preschool.”
About 300 students in grades pre-K to eight are enrolled at St. Aloysius this year. This is the 125th year for the school.
There was a steady stream of people in and out of the event, which took place 2-6 p.m. Dancy said attendees could get a free haircut, enjoy arts and crafts, music, food and pick up a free pencil pack and free storybooks. Hot dogs, chips, juice and water were on the menu.
“It also was an opportunity for some of our students to meet their teachers,” she said, since several teachers, staff members, administrators and others volunteered to help.
Dancy said she was excited to learn which barbers would be at the event because she is a client of the barber school, LaBarberia. “They do great work,” she added.
Harold Corrothers, one of eight instructors at the barber school, was supervising the student barbers. Each brought a kit including clippers, scissors, combs, capes and more. Known as “Mr. C,” Corrothers said the student barbers complete 1,800 hours of training and then take a state exam in order to earn a license. He kept a watchful eye on the students as they clipped, shaved, brushed, touched up and styled hair during the event. Corrothers said the St. Aloysius event was the largest of the three back-to-school events. He estimated 30-40 people received haircuts at each of the previous events at St. Adalbert and St. Rocco.
“We do many community events,” Corrothers said, noting the outreach is good for both the students as they hone their skills and the community that benefits from the free haircuts.
Dancy said she was so pleased with the turnout that she expects the “Back 2 School Bash” will become an annual event.
“It’s a way to show what we do and to give back to the community. It’s great to see all the children smiling and enjoying themselves,” she added.