For any sophomores looking to try something new for their junior year, Diamond Oaks Career Campus is a great option. Diamond Oaks is one of many schools in the Great Oaks school district which is a joint vocational school district that has operated in parts of southwestern Ohio since 1970. With 18 programs to choose from, Diamond Oaks has something for everyone, including any adults interested in joining a program part-time. This school is a great option for anyone who is not sure what they would like to do post-graduation because it is completely free to attend besides purchasing your basic school supplies and uniform, and staff make it simple to return to Harrison High School or switch your program if you decide it is not for you.
School for students starts at 7:50 AM and ends at 2:18 PM and is about a 15-minute drive from Harrison. For any students without a license, Harrison High School offers a bus service that will pick you up from the high school. The initial transition from Harrison to Diamond will take some adjusting to. The schedule is quite different considering your academic classes will be much shorter due to your chosen program taking up half of your school day.
Cosmetology is one of their more popular programs and is an especially good option because it is the only program that walks you across that graduation stage completely licensed and ready to be employed. Getting accepted into the program is a lottery system due to the high number of applications the program receives. I, myself, was a student in this program for a year before I decided to make my way back to Harrison, but I have also interviewed current Cosmetology student Mariah Turner for any information out of my reach.
In the Cosmetology program, you will learn everything from hair cutting, coloring, and perming, manicuring and pedicuring to hair removal and facials. There will also be some chemistry and anatomy elements involved throughout most assignments. When asked what the Cosmetology workload is like, Turner replied, “It’s a lot of book work and a little fast-paced for the hands-on lessons,” which I would certainly agree with. You will also be responsible to keep up with your hours towards getting your Ohio State Board license, memorizing steps for different cosmetic procedures, studying for tests, and interning at a salon over the summer. If you miss a lot of school, this program may not be for you because the state of Ohio requires 1500 hours of Cosmetology school to take the State Board Exam. 1500 hours sounds a little overwhelming which is why the programs teacher, Ms. Stuckey, will occasionally offer optional assignments which will be rewarded with extra hours. Interning at a salon over the summer will also help you get your required hours.
If you are concerned with having to balance your Cosmetology assignments and academic class assignments, Turner and I both agree that the academic classes at Diamond are much simpler than at Harrison High School. The academic teachers realize that your program can be demanding, so they are more lenient with due dates and assign easier work overall.
Turner stated that with being a Cosmetology student, you can access free cosmetic services at school, learn self-care, and also get a head start in other cosmetic jobs such as a wax specialist, lash technician or even a dermatologist if you decide against being a hairstylist or nail technician.
This program is the perfect way to be employed right out of high school or have another job to fall back on if all else fails and I heavily recommend it. For any further information, visit the Cosmetology section on the Diamond Oaks website.
