Kisha James, 1999 graduate of the Cosmetology program at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Career and Technical Education Center and Greece Central School District, practices for the Skills USA/Vocational and Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) International Trials at the Midwest Beauty Show in Chicago. If James places first, she will go on to the International Competition in Korea this fall.

Kisha James may have graduated from the Cosmetology program at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Career and Technical Education Center less than two years ago, but already she is on her way to becoming a well-known cosmetologist. Now employed by Hair Embassy Salon in Rochester, James will be competing in the Skills USA/Vocational and Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) International Trials at the Midwest Beauty Show in Chicago February 22-24. She will be competing with four other cosmetologists from around the country and will have to place first to go on to Korea for the international competition in the fall.

In 1999, James placed second in the national competition in Kansas City and has been preparing for the international competition ever since. Her former instructor, Laurie Salladin, and retired cosmetology teacher, Robert Caruso (who taught Salladin), have been helping her prepare for the three full days of competition. Goldwell of New York Inc., a Rochester-based manufacturer of hair products that also provides cosmetology training, is sponsoring James.

For the competition, James must do a scissor-cut and color, a razor-cut styled with only her hands and a blow dryer, and create a hairpiece, finger waves and pin curls, a daytime-to-evening style using pin curls and rollers, permanent waves, and an evening style for long hair.