Life/Work Challenge Student Award

Trisha Hoffman
Berks Career and Technology Center

Pictured: Marjorie Eckman, PAVESNP Awards Chair; Honorable Sheila Miller, PA House of Representatives, District 129; Trisha Hoffman, 2004 Life/Work Challenge Award Winner; Sheila Gallagher, Transition Coordinator, Conrad Weiser School District; and Thomas Winters, Deputy Secretary for Administration, PA Department of Education

Trisha Hoffman is a third year student in the Cosmetology program at Berks Career and Technology Center, West Campus.  She is an outstanding student in every aspect and consistently has been one of the top performing cosmetology students during the past two years.  Trisha’s accomplishments are far reaching.  Specifically, she has been awarded Student of the Quarter in her 10^th and 12^th year; was the first senior to finish her cosmetology operator hours; enrolled in the Cosmetology Student Teacher Program to obtain an additional 500 hours and serves as a student teacher to Level One students; currently is working in the industry at a local salon; and has  acquired excellent communication skills, which enables her to work professionally with teachers, students and clients.

Trisha has been working in a local salon since April 2003.  Her employer states, “Trisha began working as an Assistant to help with shampooing and appointment scheduling.  It was immediately evident that she was a mature and responsible young woman.  Because of her desire to work in the field of cosmetology, she worked hard to attain the number of required hours necessary to obtain a temporary stylist license.  She immediately began accepting styling and cutting appointments, handling them with skill and confidence.  She has been a true asset to my business.  Trisha built an instantaneous rapport with clients and co-workers alike.  The work atmosphere exudes her pleasant demeanor and positive attitude.  She is a pleasure to be around.  Trisha strives to make clients feel relaxed, and to ensure total satisfaction with our services.  It is my belief that Trisha will excel in any work atmosphere and be very successful at whatever she attempts.”

For her senior project, Trisha selected the topic of the Psychology of Cosmetology – why does a person chose and stay with a specific cosmetologist for years and what does the relationship involve.  She highlighted the importance of physical touch between the cosmetologist and the client and emphasized the role the cosmetologist plays in most of the client’s major life events.  Trisha gave specific examples of how she tries to make each client she serves feel better about themselves by doing such things as: remembering personal information from conversations or spending a little extra time on a hand massage during a manicure.  For her product, Trisha planned, advertised and held a fundraiser for a homebound classmate with cancer.  She collected $180.00 by offering manicures to the students and staff at the Career Center.  The response was so positive on the day of the event several of her Level 2 and 3 peers stepped in to help.

Trisha pushed herself to maintain a high grade average at both the home school and the Career Center.  She opted to take higher-level science courses than required to better prepare her for a future career in cosmetology.  She has consistently maintained an A average throughout each year of the cosmetology program.  Trisha is a SkillsUSA-VICA officer and recently won first place in regional VICA competition.  Additionally, she also passed the performance section of the State Cosmetology Examination.  Congratulations Trisha!