The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Punita Chohan, Cosmetology 30 teacher (seated) and her students from M. E. LaZerte High School, in Edmonton, visited the Youth Emergency Shelter Society (YESS) in December. Left to right: YESS employee, cosmetology students Jenna, Shauna, Selah, Dana, Nevada and Fallon.

December, six of Punita Chohan’s Cosmetology 30 career students visited the Youth Emergency Shelter Society (YESS), located near Edmonton’s Whyte Avenue. The cosmetology students provided free makeovers—haircuts, hairstyling, makeup and nail art—to YESS residents participating in an art show and auction who would be interviewed by Citytv, Global TV and other media.

Some students donated their tools and makeup kits to the shelter. One YESS resident offered to pay for his haircut with money from the sale of his artwork. Chohan observed: “The students were shocked at [the teen’s] values and self-respect. This young teen has no place to sleep and nothing to eat, but he has dignity and morals. That was a great lesson for my students. … It was a great opportunity and an eye-opener for cosmetology career students to help and share their time, ­energy and material resources with the youth of YESS.”

Chohan said her students recognize the value of education and realize that they can learn from others. “Students came back with compassion, awareness and understanding. They were committed to reach out to make a difference in lives of many other less fortunate kids of YESS,” she said.