Chelsea Barnett, a recent graduate of Arkansas State University-Newport, took top honors in the Cosmetology division, and current ASUN student Mysti Kirkpatrick won the Esthetics division at the National SkillsUSA competition held June 20-24 in Louisville, Ky.  
 
Barnett, of Jonesboro, and Kirkpatrick, of Little Rock, won the gold medals by defeating competitors from across the nation who won their state-level SkillsUSA competitions.
 
Barnett and Kirkpatrick competed under the instruction of Melinda Odom and Rebekah Vinson, ASUN Instructors of Cosmetology on the Marked Tree campus.  Ashlyn Warren of Brookland served as the model for Kirkpatrick at the competition.
 
“Everyone at ASU-Newport is extremely proud of the efforts of these students and their instructors,” said ASUN Chancellor Dr. Sandra Massey.  “The strong tradition of our success at SkillsUSA, both on the national and state level is a testament to the talent and hard work of Melinda Odom and Rebekah Vinson, our Instructors of Cosmetology.  Chelsea and Mysti have taken that tradition to another level, putting in the hard work that led to their first-place finishes.  I am confident that their wins at SkillsUSA will only enhance what would have already been a successful beginning to their careers following their graduation from ASUN.”
 
Barnett’s first-place finish was the first for an ASUN student in the Cosmetology division, while Kirkpatrick’s gold medal marks the second time an ASUN student finished first in the Esthetics division.  Brigitte Schwartz, a 2014 ASUN Cosmetology graduate, won the Esthetics competition that same year.
 
The Cosmetology competition evaluated each contestant’s preparation for employment and recognized outstanding students for their excellence and professionalism in the field of Cosmetology.  The competition was divided into four separate skills performance tests, consisting of three haircut styles and an evening up-do.  Competitors also took part in a written examination and an oral communications competition.
 
The Esthetics competition evaluated each contestant’s preparation for employment and recognized outstanding students for their excellence and professionalism in the field of Esthetics.  The competition was made up of an oral communications assessment, one written examination and separate skill performance tasks.  The performance tasks included facial, massage, daytime makeup and fantasy makeup.
 
Arkansas State University-Newport’s Cosmetology students have competed in SkillsUSA competitions for 29 consecutive years.  The ASUN Cosmetology program is located on the Marked Tree campus, and applications for the January 2017 class are currently being accepted.  To begin the application process, call the ASUN Marked Tree campus at 870-358-2117.
 
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel, and is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.
 
SkillsUSA improves the quality of America’s skilled workforce through a structured program of citizenship, leadership, employability and technical/professional skills training.  SkillsUSA enhances the lives and careers of students, instructors and industry representatives as they strive to be champions at work.  The organization serves more than 300,000 students and instructors nationally, with more than 13,000 school chapters in 54 state and territorial associations.  More than 14,500 instructors and administrators are professional members of SkillsUSA.