The buzz of clippers... the click of shears... the light-hearted conversations...
If you close your eyes, it's easy to picture the familiar sounds of your favorite barbershop. For Cade Raleigh, Jackson Ostrander, Oscar Villatoro, and Stratos Anastos, the harmony of the craft is already becoming second nature.
But this isn't your traditional barbershop. This is third period.
For the first time ever, Maine-Endwell is offering a Master Barbering program for seniors. The 500-hour, state-certified course gives students the complete barbering experience, from learning the tools of the trade to completing their first haircuts.
"I heard about this program last year when I came into the counseling office to set up my schedule and instantly knew I was super interested," said Cade Raleigh, Senior at M-E.
Local barber and 2013 M-E grad Nick Sorrenti is leading the charge.
"It's a privilege to have the honor and the trust of the Maine-Endwell administration and community. I don't know many other districts that are doing this in-house. For Maine-Endwell to lead the pack with that, to be innovative, and to make this into something that can potentially change the trajectory of these kids lives, I think that's the most important factor," said Sorrenti.
For Sorrenti, the founder and CEO of Studio 11 Barbershop, hard work and dedication has always been a part of his DNA. Before he was holding clippers, he was carrying a football, as part of a Spartan team that went undefeated from 2011 to 2014, winning four state titles. He earned the rank of first-team all-state twice, and was co-player of the year in 2012.
"To be a Spartan and come back here and actually be the lead of it is just a testament to what doing the right things can do for you," said Sorrenti.
Students in "The Barbershop Academy" spend two days at the M-E barbershop, followed by three at Studio 11, shadowing Nick and his fellow barbers.
"It's a great opportunity. It's a jumpstart into a potential career, and a great way to make money and have fun doing it. The class has been great. We get to hang out here and learn and go to the shop and see how actual barbering is," said Jackson Ostrander, Senior at M-E.
"They've been super supportive of us, they've welcomed us. I'm excited for all my classmates to start cutting here. This catches my mind more than traditional sitting in class and writing things down. I like being a little more hands-on, and cutting hair is fun to me," said Raleigh.
The class is being supported, in part, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the United Way which covered materials and supplies. Whether they pursue it as a career, or practice on the side, Sorrenti believes students in this class will leave with a trade they can use for the rest of their lives.
"To be able to offer this to students, it really is a lifechanging course that can either impact them when they're in college, or start their career right after high school. All we can ask for in life is opportunity, and that's what this program is able to give to these kids," said Sorrenti.
"It's a good skill to learn. You can take it anywhere with you, around the world. I thought it was cool, the culture behind it and everything. We're learning from the best and t's been really good," said Oscar Villatoro, Senior at M-E.
In the near future, following more certifications, the students will be able to practice their craft through free Sunday community haircuts. They also hope to work on fellow students and staff members in free periods.
"It's great for kids like me especially, because if you don't have an idea of where you want to go after high school, this is a perfect program. We're all learning a life skill that will make us money and Nick is a fun teacher," said Stratos Anastos, Senior at M-E.
Each student will have the opportunity to take the master barber exam following the completion of the course which will certify them to work in the field.
We will update the community when our Sunday haircuts become available.