Tori Frisbie recalls the excitement of putting what she was learning at Sussex County Technical Schools (SCTS) to the test.
“At the beginning, cosmetology students at SCTS attended traditional high school classes most of the time, with two periods every day for cosmetology,” she explained. “In the later years, the number of cosmetology classes increased, and we finally got to practice what we had been learning.”
As a junior and senior cosmetology student, she worked on clients’ hair, skin, or nails during the school day. These clients were teachers, students, and even members of the community. Frisbie said it was “thrilling” to get this experience, which gave her validation that she had chosen the right path and that she was good at it.
After receiving her certificate from SCTS in 2019, she enrolled in Sussex County Community College for two years, earning two associate degrees, one in cosmetology and one in environmental science, a subject that also interested her.
While still a college student, she was hired as a stylist’s assistant at Mancuso’s Salon and Spa in Sparta. She started out assisting other stylists, working side by side with them and continuing to hone her skills.
“I learned a lot during the training period,” she said. “Not just about hair, but also about talking to clients and showing initiative.”
Thanks to her hard work, she advanced to a level 1 stylist, then level 2. Now, she is a level 3 stylist at Mancuso’s. She has expanded her skill set and does make-up as well as hair.
“I have done well in my field, and I credit the SCTS cosmetology program for helping me gain the knowledge and confidence it takes to begin working and to be part of the hair industry,” she added. “I look forward to expanding my knowledge and abilities as I move forward in my career.”
