Cosmetology student recognized by Governor following competition success

“There’s so much you can do [in Cosmetology]. You can choose any little niche or specialization, and you can just run with it."

Savanna Williams wasn't sure about barbering until her Francis Tuttle instructor gave her some encouragement. Now, she holds a national competition medal and a commendation from the governor.

"I really enjoy barbering and I want to have it as a part of my life," Savanna said. "I'm excited to use it as a way to support myself and go to college."

As a first-year student in Francis Tuttle's Cosmetology program, Savanna, a high school student from Edmond North, started to appreciate barbering. Her instructor Sheila Kissick encouraged Savanna to embrace the skill and make it her own, and that led to a SkillsUSA competition run that exceeded her own expectations.

Barbering competitors receive photos of a style or cut that they must then replicate. They then use the skills they have acquired to create that style in an allotted amount of time, log their progress step by step and explain their process, and are then judged on execution and method.

Though the national competition did not happen in-person due to the pandemic, Savanna said it was still a great experience competing from Francis Tuttle with the support of instructors and fellow students. 

She was overjoyed to win a 3rd place SkillsUSA Nationals medal in her first attempt. But an even bigger surprise awaited a few weeks later, when Savanna received an official commendation from Gov. Kevin Stitt for her efforts.

"That was crazy," she said. "My entire family was so excited about that."

Savanna wants to explore her potential career options in college, but Cosmetology and barbering will always be part of her life. It provides her with a creative outlet and she said the Francis Tuttle program is perfect for students who want to grow their skills and discover how much they can achieve in the industry.

"I can be artistic but at the same time participate in the workforce, which is really cool," she said. "There’s so much you can do. You can choose any little niche or specialization, and you can just run with it. The teachers here will support you in it the whole way through. There’s just a place for everyone here."