New school year, new hair - fresh start with fresh cuts

Special to Wesson News

Pictured (l to r) are Erika Gemelli, Debbie Brown, Danielle Graham, Alana Lyons, LeAnne Duet, Natasha Lewis, Edna Stevens, Megan Lang, Ruth Case, Katie Hall and Susan Lee.

For the third year in a row, dozens of Wesson Attendance Center students walked into the new school year with fresh haircuts, courtesy of local stylists who donated their time and skills free of charge.

The event, held August 2 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the school's old gym, drew six stylists who cut hair for fifty children in three hours.

“I was just sitting watching TV one day when the idea popped into my head,” said Lewis. “I said [to myself], ‘OK, that was God!’ I need to do this, and I’m not sure where to start. My friend Leanne can make this happen!"  

LeAnne Duet poses with Bryce Ashley after his haircut.

That was three years ago. Lewis called Leanne Duet, the current PTO president, with that idea she had that she wasn't sure how to off the ground.

The two, who both attended Wesson schools and went to cosmetology school at Co-Lin, worked together to organize the first event, and it has grown every year since.

Duet said volunteers are essential to keeping the event running smoothly. PTO members check children in at the door and help wherever needed, while Beta Club members pitch in and earn community service hours for their work.

Duet said the event is about more than haircuts.

Natasha Lewis styles M'Kyia Clay's hair.

"It's one way to give back to the community," Duet said. "We care about the kids at Wesson. We want them to have a fresh start to the new school year."

For Duet, the best part of the day is watching stylists from different shops set aside any sense of competition and work together.

"We all do hair, but it's not a competition — it's a community," Duet said. "We can all come together, laugh, joke and have a good time while doing what we love."

When asked why she keeps coming back to volunteer year after year, Lewis said, “Because I love kids, I love to give back to the community, and some people really need the help…and that’s were we come in.”

Stylist Debbie Brown cuts Zollie Barlow's hair during the event.

Organizers said they don't plan to change much about the event going forward.

"It actually runs pretty smoothly," Duet said.

The free haircut event will return next year, organizers confirmed.

Erika Gemelli gives Kameron Wade a haircut.