Jesse Gallegos
Public Relations Coordinator
Luna Community College
October 12, 2022
Luna Community College’s cosmetology program is celebrating 20 years of bringing quality education to its students. They will be having a formal event beginning at 9 a.m. that will run through 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31 (Halloween day) at the cosmetology clinic on the main campus. Everyone is invited.
The 20-year celebration was originally scheduled for May 5, but because of the fire danger at the time, it had to be postponed.
The theme for the event, scheduled on Halloween, is to celebrate a “Spooktacular milestone.” As part of the event, there will be drawings for free haircuts and Luna souvenirs.
Along with cosmetology, Luna also will be celebrating its barbering program.
“We are planning to recognize students and instructors and other people in the public who have been part of our programs throughout our 20-year history,” said Luna Cosmetology Instructor Germaine Sandoval who has been teaching at Luna since January 2002.
Instructors Rosalie Ortega, Andrew Quintana, Connie Ortiz, and Clarice Bonney have joined Sandoval over the years.
Sandoval has had one of the most consistent programs at Luna, with her biggest graduating class being 18 students.
“Our students have gone on to work or start their own businesses not only here in Las Vegas but in cities such as Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Las Vegas, Nev.,” said Sandoval. “Many of our former students will be joining us throughout the day.”
Students can earn certificates in cosmetology or barbering within the Department of Career & Technical Education.
The two programs are aimed at students to develop basic skills, safety, work habits and attitudes; they are designed to meet New Mexico state board standards. Students gain knowledge in such areas as sterilization, sanitization, bacteriology, shampoos, rinses, scalp treatments, chemical rearranging, perms and relaxers, hairstyling, hair coloring, bleaching, highlighting, hair cutting, facials, manicures and pedicures, salon management and retail sales.
As part of the programs, students practice skills in the college’s salon lab and in professional settings in preparation for state board examinations.
“I have always believed that education is freedom and it’s easy to teach motivated people,” said Sandoval. “Our students want to learn.”
For more information, please contact instructors Germaine Sandoval (505-454-5345, gsandoval@luna.edu) and Clarice Bonney (505-454-2572, cbonney@luna.edu).
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Luna cosmetology students Katterin Hutchinson and Ana Gandara practice their skills during a recent class. Luna will be celebrating its 20th year of the cosmetology program on Monday, Oct. 31 on the main campus.
