Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
DEON ERVANS, Wakefield-Marenisco and Gogebic Community College graduate of the cosmetology program, is delaying taking state board exams so he can get a new car. Ervans looks forward to cutting hair.
By IAN MINIELLY
Wakefield - Deon Ervans knew at least three years ago he wanted to go into cosmetology. Back then as a junior at the Wakefield-Marenisco school, he wanted to study at the Paul Mitchell school in Escanaba.
In comparing Gogebic Community College's program and the Paul Mitchell program, Ervans decided to stay local, as GCC had a higher success rate and cost less.
On Dec. 15, Ervans completed the three-semester program at GCC, but must delay entry into the field because of the requirement to pass two state tests. The theory and practical examinations, which each cost $161 plus a single $90 registration fee, are regulated by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
The law "was created to regulate the practice of cosmetology," which includes hair care services, skin care services, manicuring services and electrology. LARA also licenses schools of cosmetology, beauty shops, individual cosmetologists, manicurists, cosmetology instructors, electrologists, estheticians and natural hair culturists (braiders).
The practical test can last more than three hours and must be passed before the computer-based theory exam can be administered, which is comprised of 100 multiple choice questions within the two-hour time limit.
In addition to the testing costs, Ervans must travel to Marquette, which is the closest exam center in the Upper Peninsula. Right now his car is out of commission, so his cosmetology career is on hold.
Ervans said the GCC program was great. He was the only male student all three semesters. The instructors were highly motivating and his classmates were good. Ervans is used to raised eyebrows and gentle ribbing he gets from his friends and older males when they heard he was studying cosmetology, but the instructors said men often have a better time growing their clientele because compliments on the looks of their clients go farther coming from a man.
Lou Miskovich is in the process of installing a second chair in his Bessemer barbershop for Ervans.
Ervans enjoys how the cosmetology program exposed him to more than just cutting hair. He has done waxing, skin, nails, and even make-up, which is often a jumping-off point to students who find one field of study more enjoyable than others.
He is focused on cutting men's hair, which he said also provides for greater expression by the barber, once he buys a new set of wheels and can take the exams.
