Robert Sorrell
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. - A new career pathway at West Ridge High School is giving students the opportunity to learn the art of barbering.
Offering hands-on experience and a direct path into the workforce, the program - a rare offering for a Tennessee high school - has already generated significant interest among students.
Kaleb Mabb, 17, one of the students enrolled in the program, has quickly taken to the craft, already giving around 20 haircuts, he recently told the Bristol Herald Courier. Before taking the class, he had never thought about barbering.
His passion for barbering now extends beyond the classroom, as he showcases his skills on the social media application TikTok, where he has gained several hundred followers.
"At the start, I kind of messed up my cousin's haircut," Mabb said. "But I learned quickly that having the right tools makes all the difference. I started with a cheap set of clippers, and they didn't work well. Once I invested in better equipment, my skills improved."
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Mabb credits his instructor, Robin Dillow, for guiding him through the learning process. "She's been really helpful through this whole thing," he said.
Mabb, who also plays football at West Ridge, hopes to eventually earn his barbering license.
Robin Dillow, a master barber since 2020, has been advocating for a high school barbering program for years. Before coming to West Ridge, she taught at Jenny Lea Academy and has seen a demand for a barbering program among young men. She said many have been hesitant to enroll in the school's cosmetology courses.
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"A lot of guys didn't want to take cosmetology because they thought it was too feminine, but they still wanted to learn how to cut hair," Dillow said. "I fought for this program for about three years, and when I was given the funding to start it, I was determined to make it work."
The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
"I knew there would be interest, but I never expected to start off with 22 students," she said.
During a recent freshman orientation event, several younger students expressed excitement about joining the program in the coming years.
In barbering, which is held at the West Ridge High School Annex on the Sullivan Central Middle School campus, students learn the fundamentals, including shampooing, blow-drying, color application, beard trims and the traditional 14-step shave.
In addition, Dillow said students are logging hours that count toward the 1,500-hour requirement for licensure in Tennessee.
The program is part of a larger effort by Sullivan County Schools to expand career and technical education (CTE) offerings. CTE Director Debbie Madgett explained that surveys and labor market data indicated a strong need for a barbering program in Northeast Tennessee.
"Labor market data shows an increasing demand for barbers in the region, with job opportunities providing a livable wage and room for growth," Madgett said. "By offering this program, we're not just equipping students with skills -- they're also strengthening the local economy."
The district worked to create a dedicated barbering space, because state standards require a separate facility from cosmetology programs. The remodeling process was a collaborative effort, with some of West Ridge's construction students assisting with demolition.
Dillow said 70 more students have expressed interest for next fall.
"Our goal in Sullivan County is to graduate students who are college- and career-ready," Madgett said. "Programs like this ensure they have viable career options right out of high school.
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