Beauty At Tech

✨ Where are they now? ✨

Isabella Nelson

Graduated: 2024

Currently, I am working at two salons. The first salon I am working at, I am a lead assistant and I am currently working my way towards going out on my own. My boss is an amazing educator and I have learned so much from her. She is also an amazing person and runs two nonprofits on top of running her business. The second salon I work at is called hotbox and I help run the front desk there. That salon truly feels like a family. I know that I will always have a spot there to be a stylist when the time comes.

I was able to get my lifelong career started so soon compared to most people in the industry. It truly gave me a head start. I also met amazing people and educators along the way as well. 

Izzy🧑🏼‍🩰

Time of the Season 🎃🐈‍⬛

Color Project 2026 💚💕

🧡 Fall Nails 🍂

Joico lumishine (8NC)
Kenra color (5RC)
Paul Mitchell Colorways (sky)
Paul Mitchell The Demi Color Gloss (ash)

Congrats to Alyissa!! 🌼

Beauty At Tech

Now it’s time to introduce our junior SkillsUSA officers! 🩷
We are more than excited to be involved in what this year has coming.

Congratulations Senior SkillsUSA Officers! We can't wait to see all that the future has for us!

Hi, my name is Gabriella Acosta! My time as a Cosmetology student at SECTA has been an unforgettable experience filled with growth, challenges, and meaningful connections. I chose cosmetology because I’ve always loved helping others feel more confident and beautiful in their own skin, and this program gave me the opportunity to do exactly that! Over time, I discovered that my favorite skills revolve around hair, especially styling and color, but I also enjoy doing nails, particularly nail art, as a creative outlet.

While I don’t have one specific favorite memory, what I’m most grateful for is the friendships I built along the way. The girls I met in this program became such an important part of my journey, and they made even the long, exhausting days more enjoyable. One of the biggest challenges for me was definitely the hours. The days could feel long and draining, but in the end, it was all worth it because of how much I’ve learned and grown.

Another major part of my experience was being involved in SkillsUSA. It brought me closer to some of my closest friends and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. Serving as the Nevada State Officer President for the 2025–2026 term was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! It taught me leadership, confidence, and skills that I will carry with me throughout my life. SkillsUSA is a place where you truly get to see people grow, step out of their comfort zones, and thrive.

One important lesson I learned is that not everything will go exactly as planned. In cosmetology, things can change quickly, and you have to be able to problem-solve and stay calm under pressure. Keeping a steady mindset is key to avoiding stress and continuing to improve.

After graduation, I plan to work in a hair salon where I can continue building my skills and gaining experience. I also plan to further my education in college, and in the future, I hope to come back and teach cosmetology. My advice to future students is to always give it your all, not just on the lab floor, but also in the classroom during theory. Cosmetology is more than just hands-on work; it requires knowledge, dedication, and a willingness to keep learning.