Students, parents and local dignitaries gathered for the unveiling of the Cutting Edge Style Academy. Maricopa Colleges Television covered the event to air on their monthly program, Maricopa Now.

West-MEC Superintendent Greg Donovan and Executive Director John Underwood of the Maricopa Skill Center welcomed the crowd before governing board members from each organization cut the ribbon. The cutting of the ribbon ceremony marked the official opening of this state-of-the-art cosmetology school in Peoria.

The Cutting Edge Style Academy is located at 7565 W. Peoria Ave. is a partnership with West-MEC and the Maricopa Skill Center. Students learn the latest techniques in hair, skin and nails. This interactive training prepares students to become licensed cosmetologists.  

West-MEC recently worked with Point in Time Studios to create a 30-second television commercial which showcases our 2009-2010 central programs: Building Trades, Cosmetology, EMT, Fire Science and Medium Heavy Diesel Technology. Five students currently enrolled in Career and Technical Education courses at high schools in West-MEC’s member districts were chosen to represent the 09-10 courses by appearing in the commercial. The five students had their moment in the spotlight as Point In Time Studios production crew filmed each student separately to create the silhouettes pictured in the commercial. The student actors used physical movements to portray a theme for each course. Pairing the student silhouettes with action words to describe each course, the commercial’s bold look and student-driven feel is the first of its kind for West-MEC.