By ANDREW FAISON/CORRESPONDENT
andrew.faison@yahoo.com

COURTLAND—The Southampton High School cosmetology class, under the leadership of Rita Yeary, won eight out of 12 trophies in the Virginia Beauticians Association Competition on Monday.

“As always, they rose to the occasion,” Yeary said. “To compete against adults and win says a lot for their talents and skills. A mother could not be any more prouder of my students than I am.”

Students competed in Barbering, Professional, Fantasy and Evening. Southampton students swept the Barbering category.

n Barbering —First, Brianah Grant and Deshan Rollins; second, Jasmine Simmons and Treyon Conaway; and third, Lauren Bryant and Cody Durham

n Professional—First, Simmons and Katrina Gray; second, Shayla Grant and Rekitia Ricks-Jordan

n Fantasy —First, Jessie Pugh and Kayleigh MacLeod

n Evening—Second, Shavonte Everett and Makayla Foreman; third, Courtney Edwards and Meg Sharp.

Junior hairstylist Jessie Pugh said the experience was very intense.

“I had to learn how to multitask as well as learn time management to deal with the competition,” Pugh said.

Junior Kayleigh MacLeod, who was Pugh’s model for the competition, said the experience was fun, but at the same time, very nerve racking.

“I am taking away from this experience that when you always try your hardest, you are rewarded in the long run,” said MacLeod.

MacLeod and Pugh said they were shocked, overwhelmed and happy upon learning the results.

“From this competition, I learned to always plan ahead and to always be organized,” Pugh said.