The Center of Applied Technology, more commonly known as CAT-South, is a trade school located in Edgewater that offers a variety of programs. Ranging anywhere from engineering, dentistry, to cosmetology, CAT-South offers a variety of programs for students from around the county to enroll in. Severna Park High School junior Olivia Carhart has been in the cosmetology program since freshman year. After years of interest in hair styling, CAT-South allowed Carhart to pursue her passion.
Carhart’s interest in hair styling developed after receiving a bad haircut back in 6th grade. After getting the chance to do all the for a SPMS production, Carhart learned about the CAT-South cosmetology program and all of the opportunities it held. “I learned about the CAT-South cosmetology program and that after completion of the program, I could take the state board exam and become a licensed cosmetologist. I immediately applied. Since my strengths lie in hairstyling, my interests have now shifted into bridal and formal occasion hair,” said Carhart.
Last month, Carhart attended the SkillsUSA regional competition, held in Baltimore. SkillsUSA is a nationwide organization across trade schools. Every year, they have the SkillsUSA championships which enables the top three students of each program to compete against other students,” said Carhart, “I competed in the cosmetology competition for hair. Everything was judged on speed and accuracy.”
After getting the chance to compete against the best cosmetology students in the region, Carhart has yet another trip to look forward to. In the spring, the cosmetology program will be taking a trip to the Beauty Show in NYC at the Jacob Javvits Center. “The international Beauty Show is one of the largest for the industry where you can buy the greatest products for the greatest prices and take classes from professionals such as Martino Cartier, Martin Pasons, and even Paul Mitchell. Last year, I took a haute couture class from Diana Ross’s hairstylist which was incredible,” said Carhart.
In addition to the many opportunities CAT-South’s cosmetology program offers, Carhart has built friendships and gotten close with many of her peers. “I would say that for me personally that it was so easy to make friends at CAT-South because unlike a normal school, you actually elect to go here and are all linked by a common interest,” said Carhart, “I’m very close with my cosmetology class and I have made some of my closest friends there.”
Carhart’s experience at CAT-South has greatly prepared her for the future. “The cosmetology program overall has given me so many extraordinary opportunities,” said Carhart.
