Instructor Tammy Adams-Fennig, left, and student Willow Rogers, right; and (far right) Rogers with her gold award. (Submitted photos/North West College)

By Angela Brown

Skills Canada Competition

North West College hairstyling student heads to nationals after taking home gold

Apr 4, 2024 | 1:58 PM

A student in North West College’s hairstyling program at the Battlefords Campus is showing she has a real talent in her trade after winning gold in the 2024 Skills Canada’s Saskatchewan Provincial Competition.

Willow Rogers earned her gold medal in the hairstylist competition in March.

“I was very surprised,” said the 18-year-old. “It kind of caught me completely off guard.”

The youth said perhaps her only challenge was being a tad nervous during the provincial competition, but otherwise she was fine.

“I just really wanted to do well,” Rogers said.

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What she loves about hairstyling that drew her to the profession was a desire to make others feel confident about themselves.

“I’ve always been pretty interested in doing hair,” Rogers said. “I used to do it out of my basement for my friends, all the time, all throughout school. So, I thought, I might as well learn how to make money doing this. I’ve always loved letting people be expressive with their appearance, being excited about their appearance and trying new things. I think it’s really fulfilling to do that for people.”

The provincial competition was held at the SaskPolytech Regina Campus and Campus Regina Public.

Rogers took top place competing with seven other students from across the province.

All gold-medal winners now have the chance to travel to Quebec City the week of May 27 to 31 to compete in the Skills Canada National Competition.

Rogers said she is planning to attend to take part, and vie for a national award.

North West College Hairstylist Program instructor Tammy Adams-Fennig and her team are excited about Rogers’ success. Adams is the head of the college’s Tangles Salon located on campus in North Battleford. She notes Rogers is well versed in a variety of skills in the profession.

“I think it’s the overall [techniques], she practises a lot for everything she does,” Adams-Fennig said. “So, that makes her stand out, compared to someone who is just interested in colouring and is not very good at doing men’s haircuts [for example]. She practised all across the board.”

Adams-Fennig plans to attend the national competitions in Quebec with Rogers.

The instructor said in 2018 one of North West College’s students, Megan Wright, won gold in nationals, so she is hoping Rogers does well in the big competition also.

Looking ahead, North West College’s hairstylist program is expanding to a two-year diploma program in the new school year to offer students more options in the program.

“This will allow for a more comprehensive curriculum, covering a broader range of skills and knowledge essential for success in the field,’ the college stated. “Additionally, the opportunity for students to earn credit towards journey-person status adds further value to the program.”

Hairstylist programs are offered in both North West College’s Battlefords and Meadow Lake campuses.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow