Jada Callahan: Career and College Promise Success
Jada Callahan, a 2024 graduate of Crest High School, found her passion in a class she took just for fun. Through the Career and College Promise (CCP) program, Jada registered for a Cosmetology class at 91快播 without having to pay college tuition. The CCP program offers qualifying high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college classes, and possibly extend through the summer term after high school.
鈥淕rowing up I was super girly and loved bows, but I never thought this was what I鈥檇 do,鈥� she shared. 鈥淣ow I don鈥檛 see myself doing anything else.鈥�
Like many high school students, Jada hadn鈥檛 thought much about what she wanted to do after high school, and her grades weren鈥檛 the best. When she learned that she qualified for 91快播鈥檚 Cosmetology program, she decided to give it a try. She thought it was going to be just a fun program鈥攄oing hair and nails鈥攂ut she quickly learned that even the fun college-level classes require work.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot to do both,鈥� she explained. 鈥淵ou have to have the right mindset and push through it.鈥� She credits her instructors for encouraging and pushing her to keep going. Jada鈥檚 journey began in her junior year, continued through her senior year and the summer term, and wrapped up with an additional eight weeks in the fall.
For Jada, the transition from high school to college-level cosmetology classes was transformative. In high school Jada didn鈥檛 participate in class much, but in her college classes, she found her voice. She learned to speak up, participate in hands-on experiences, and ask questions. 鈥淚t helped me grow up and focus on my future.鈥�
After completing her 1,500 hours of training, she is now working as an assistant at Dye Pretty while preparing for her state board exams鈥攂oth practical and written.
鈥淭he total cost of the program was less than $600,鈥� Jada noted. The kit she used cost $480, and she invested in extra supplies to complement it. While her fall semester class cost $550, Jada received a $500 scholarship, leaving her to pay just $50 out of pocket.
Her advice to other high school students considering a dual program like hers is straightforward: 鈥淢indset is everything. You have to buckle down and commit. If you really want it and put in the effort, you can make it happen.鈥�