From Haircuts to Dental Health Checks: Robb Elementary Hosts Second Annual Hair Fair and Wellness Day
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— Against the backdrop of wintery skies, the cafeteria at Robb Elementary School was transformed into a bustling hub of generosity, collaboration, and free professional services at the second annual Hair Fair and Wellness Day on Saturday, January 11, 2025. From 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., well over 60 Robb Elementary students and their siblings experienced personal pampering and oral health checkups, all thanks to a compassionate team of local professionals who donated their time and skills.
This event, first held in January 2024, has become a cherished tradition due to its popularity and high turnout. This year, driven by the desire to give back, Principal Tyler Barth teamed up with Sarah Grimes of The Common Place Church and Jeanie Robinson, owner of Scissorhands Salon in Howard, to bring the event to life once again at the school. Grimes and Robinson were the masterminds behind the inaugural Hair Fair and Wellness Day.
Jeanie Robinson not only played a key role in coordinating the event this year but also lent her hairstyling talents alongside fellow hair professionals Stephanie Walizer, owner of Country Cuts Hair Salon in Mill Hall, and Amanda Long and Jenna DeGarmo from The Hair Refinery in Mill Hall—all of whom are veterans from last year’s Hair Fair and Wellness Day. This year, they were joined by newcomers Sara McGhee from Embellish Studio Salon in Lock Haven, Sara Fye from Looks Hair Design in State College, and Roz Rebarchak, owner of Hair Concepts by Roz in Downtown Lock Haven. Notably, two eager cosmetology students from Central Mountain High School (CMHS), Josey Shultz and Mattison Schlesinger, joined this year under the guidance of CMHS’ cosmetology instructor Stacy Kline.
Enhancing the free haircuts was expert hair braiding services provided by Tyonna Hartley, who also returned to the event this year to add an extra element of pampering for students after getting a fresh haircut. Hartley is a Certified Nursing Assistant who enjoys hair braiding outside of her busy schedule as a healthcare professional.
The room buzzed with activity as stylists provided haircuts in 15-minute intervals, pre-scheduled by parents via the school’s Class Dojo app, while also accommodating additional walk-ins. Due to the high turnout and popularity of the first Hair Fair and Wellness Day in 2024, parents eagerly began signing up their students for haircuts soon after Principal Tyler Barth posted the signup link on the app. By January 2, 2025, 35 students were signed up, and by the day before the event, that number jumped to 64.
Jeanie Robinson was initially inspired to create this event because of a calling to serve others. “This was my idea, but Sarah Grimes was the facilitator,” Robinson said, acknowledging the collaborative and altruistic spirit shared between the duo. “God has given us a gift, and I wanted to use that gift to give back to the community.”
Robinson’s long-time friend and fellow cosmetologist, Stephanie Walizer, echoed this sentiment and shared that her response upon first being presented with the idea was, “I’m in!”. Leading up to the date of the first Hair Fair and Wellness Day last January, she became concerned that there might not be enough hairstylists willing to donate their Saturday schedule to the event, leaving her and Robinson overwhelmed by a large number of students wanting haircuts. After some contemplation, she came to the conclusion that there are enough local stylists with a desire to serve others in a meaningful way, and she believed they would show up to generously offer their time and professional services. “I believed that stylists who had it on their heart to use their skills for others would show up,” Walizer said. In the end, her instincts and her belief in the selflessness of the local cosmetology community were right. Now, in the event’s second year, the number of hairstylists willing to participate has grown.
Reinforcing the wellness aspect of the event, Shelby Rice returned this year to provide dental and oral health checks free of charge to all Robb Elementary students and siblings. As a Registered Dental Hygienist and Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner at the Clinton County Community Dental Clinic in Mill Hall, Rice’s participation helped to ensure that the event focused on health in addition to hair maintenance.
The administrators from the Robb Elementary Champions before and after school program—Joey Fortescue, Alexa Weissert, and Juliana Jaglowski—helped maintain a lively atmosphere by offering engaging activities for students as they waited for their turn to get a haircut or oral exam. They also provided parents with information about the Champions program, including details about a new pre-k “Champ Camp” summer program that will be launched this year. The administrators were happy to answer questions, provide further details, and discuss financial support options for those interested in enrolling their children.
Looking to the future, Walizer and Robinson revealed that they’re working with Principal Barth to coordinate two annual Hair Fair and Wellness Days for Robb Elementary students. Their mission is to strategically time the first one just before fall picture day and offer a second one in January— a true testament to their desire to give back to the kids in our community.
Principal Barth highlighted that this year’s Hair Fair and Wellness Day was “a total group effort” and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those who volunteered their time and skills to provide free services during the event on Saturday. “I can’t thank the stylists enough because I know this is a busy day of the week for them,” he remarked.
The Hair Fair and Wellness Day at Robb Elementary highlights the kindness and generosity of our local professionals who selflessly donate their time to ensure that children in our community are not only well cared for but also stepping into the new year with confidence.
