Students of the Cerritos Cosmetology department participated at the Back-to-School bash at the La Palma Christian Center.

The Back-to-School Bash was a community event that gave away a backpack full of school supplies, there was also food and games. It was on July 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

One cosmetology major Aidee Castro, said, “The learning experience was awesome and it was very appreciated,”

She added that while the haircuts were free the parents knew that the students wouldn’t have the experience for very complex haircuts and they were supportive regardless.

According to cosmetology instructor Madeline Bettencourt, she normally canvases the community for events or opportunities for her students to have some real world experience.

For the Back-to-School Bash, she was approached by the Christian Center for students to give free haircuts at the event.

Students were able to participate on a volunteer basis. Bettencourt said, “We did approximately 50 haircuts at the end of the day.”

Donnie Perrigin, another cosmetology student volunteered for the first time.

“Usually I learned that classmates volunteered in the past and I really liked it,” he said.

He added that the only obstacles the volunteers faced was that each haircut immediately followed another, putting their skills to the test.