As Two Paths Converge
Meet Tara Joyner, a graduate of both the Commercial Truck Driving and Cosmetology programs at STC:
I am 29 years old, and I have desired to own and operate my own hair and nail salon since I was a little girl. My two wonderful Aunts, Lonnell Phillips and Bertha Sanders, at Lonnell’s Styling in Sandersville have been my career idols for many years.
I started my education and training for Cosmetology in 1996. Having a precious daughter at an early age prevented me from completing my training, so I worked as a waitress for the next 4 years. |
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In January 2000, I decided to go to STC for Commercial Truck Driving. Instructors Mr. Williams, Mr. English, and Mr. Burton managed to make this possible for me. I drove trucks full-time until 2003 when I decided to drive part-time so that I could work on my Cosmetology diploma again.
I experienced a really negative atmosphere at the school I was attending. It discouraged me, so I quit a short time after. But I was determined to go forward with my dream. That’s when I decided to try Sandersville Technical College’s Cosmetology program in Sandersville.
Jennifer Thigpen (in the Admissions Office) and Lanie Freeman (one of the Cosmetology Instructors) were very helpful and full of encouragement during my enrollment process. I was very skeptical since I had had a bad experience elsewhere, but only a few short weeks of classes at STC, I regretted not having attended STC sooner.
I gained an enormous amount of knowledge from Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Davis. I came to STC wondering if I could pass the state board examinations, and I graduated from STC knowing that I would ACE them! (And I did!)
Mrs. Annie Davis was a wonderful instructor, and she was never too busy to answer any questions I had. Mrs. Freeman was always full of inspiration to keep going and never give up. She told me more times than I can count that if I would let my confidence level reach my potential that I could be super!
I passed the state board exam in January of 2007. After a variety of jobs – both salon and truck driving, I decided to open my own hair salon. The doors of “Cuttin’ Up” opened on December 4 th of 2007 in Milledgeville on Roberson Mill Road.
I dedicate my success to Mrs. Freeman, Amanda Gay (an STC classmate and my best friend), John Joyner (my husband), Brenda Prosser (my mother) and Brianna Redding (my beautiful daughter) for putting up with me through all the trials and giving me the encouraging word to carry on!
Sandersville Technical College is proud of Tara and wishes her continued success with her new career.
(2008, Spring Quarter Issue). The Fall Line Connector, p 8.
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