Ava Poulter

During her senior portrait session, senior Ava Poulter smiles at the camera. Poulter is a dual campus student doing cosmetology at Leander High School and president of the SkillsUSA chapter, a non-profit organization for high school students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. She plans on going to Texas A&M after high school to major in Nursing while using her cosmetology license to work part-time during college and as a backup plan. “The reason I wanted to do cosmetology in the first place was because I’ve always been the hair friend and it’s always been very enjoyable for me to do hair,” Poulter said. “I quit volleyball after my freshman year, which was a sport I did my whole life, so I didn’t really have a passion or something I could do throughout high school, so when I saw cosmetology on the class list I thought ‘perfect!’ and signed up.” Photo courtesy of Ava Poulter

Clip, comb, twist, repeat. Her hands move with mechanical speed as she tackles yet another complex braid design, senior Ava Poulter turns what would be an ordinary school day into a styling frenzy.

“I’ve always been the hair friend, it’s always been very enjoyable for me to do hair,” Poulter said. “When I quit volleyball after my freshman year, I didn’t really have a passion or something I could do throughout high school, so whenever I saw cosmetology on the class list I thought ‘perfect!’ and signed up.” 

Poulter is now in the Cosmetology II class offered at Leander High School, where she learns things ranging from basic lessons in the classroom to learning how to do perms, balayages, and her favorite, bridal styles and updos, in the salon. Since Cosmetology is only offered at Leander High, Poulter has to be a dual campus student, going between Cedar Park on A days to Leander on B days. 

“It’s difficult being dual campus because there’s small inconveniences that you wouldn’t think would be a problem at first,” Poulter said. “For example, having to do test corrections and trying to get to any tutorials is really complicated since many teachers don’t really understand because I’m one of their only dual campus students. But, if you’re proactive and on top of your stuff and communicate with your APs and your teachers, then they’ll work with you, so it’s not too bad.” 

As well as being a part of the cosmetology program, Poulter is also the president and founder of the SkillsUSA chapter at Leander which keeps her busy, on top of her helping catalogue and organize products in the class, and even leading a clinic on bridal styles to a dance class. 

After graduating, Poulter will attend Texas A&M and major in Nursing, while using her cosmetology license she earned through the program to work part-time. Poulter earned her cosmetology license by taking the state board exam, which consisted of one practical exam and one written exam. Earning this license means that she can now work anywhere as long as it’s under her practice, which is anything to do with hair as well as nails and makeup. 

“I’m someone who likes to do a lot of things, I’m very ambitious,” Poulter said. “I like having my options open and I’m excited that I have a license and a back-up plan no matter what happens during Nursing school.”

Poulter said the thing she will miss the most is all of the people she’s met and connected with through the program, as well as having the ability to do her hair and makeup whenever she wanted at school. 

“Cosmetology has taught me so much and I feel extra prepared for my future knowing I have a cosmetology license and the ability to make money no matter what happens,” Poulter said. “I totally recommend anyone to do it as long as they’re a hard worker and they truly have a passion for it.”