5/1/08
F.E. DuBose cosmetology students take high honors at statewide meet
By Jerriod Grizzle

JERRIOD GRIZZLE/Manning Times

F.E. DuBose students Keely Floyd (left) and Kymburlea Franklin (right) hold their awards for first and third place, respectively, from the 2008 South Carolina Cosmetology Skills Competition.

Keely Floyd and Kymburlea Franklin both love what they do. Still both in high school and enrolled at the F.E. Dubose Cosmetology Center to become hairdressers, the duo accomplished a once-in-a-lifetime feat with Floyd and Franklin both placing at the South Carolina Cosmetology Skills USA 2008 competition in Greenville.

Floyd, a junior at East Clarendon High School won first place in hair design and Franklin, a senior at Manning High School won third in the nail design competition.

“It shocked me to start with,” said Floyd. “I wasn’t expecting to win first place but I felt confident when I looked around because I had my haircuts finished, designed and dried.”

Franklin said that gaining third place at a state competition just felt good.

“I didn’t think I would place because I haven’t placed before and the judges can be hard,” she said.

Franklin said that nail design was a good choice for her because she loves to draw and be creative and nail design has all those elements.

Floyd had to perform two male haircuts, one female haircut and a long hair design using her talents on mannequins that were equipped with real human hair.

Franklin performed an acrylic application, a tip and wrap application, a lacquer and polish application as well as a flat nail art application.

Both contestants had to give an oral presentation and a take a written exam.

Director of Cosmetology Anne Brown said that she was proud of both of her students.

“They were interested and they knew that they could do it. It shows off the college and our work here,” she said. “The opportunity to compete is a great learning tool and having a success at competition gives a boost to their self-esteem and allows them to keep going and to reach for new goals.”

Nail Technology Instructor Linda Marshall who coached Franklin said she couldn’t be happier.

“Kymburlea and I went over the steps for the competition using fabric wrap and sculpting. She approached me about doing it and anytime a student is willing to do something like this they are already a winner,” she said.

Marshall said that because Franklin had a shortened amount of time to train for the event, the fact that she placed third speaks volumes about her talents.

This competition is the third time competing for the Cosmetology Department and the second time that a student has won first place.

Floyd will go on to compete at the national level, June 22-28 in Kansas City, Missouri.