Jessica, currently completing a certificate III in hairdressing, was named Hairdressing Student of the Year. She has been combining her TAFE studies with work at Zest Hair Crew since leaving Tenterfield High School.

She travels to Lismore one day a week, becoming qualified in a particular technique before bringing it back to her Tenterfield clients (under supervision), giving her an ever-expanding repertoire.

She said she’s been through the stages of colour, cut, blow-dry, massages, shampoos, perms and chemical straitening. She has also been managing Zest the past six months while owner Andrea Thomas has been on maternity leave.

“It’s been a good experience,” Jessica said. “Andrea has been really supportive throughout this, teaching me along the way.”

It’s a two-way admiration society, with Mrs Thomas calling Jessica “absolutely fantastic and amazing”.

“I couldn’t ask for a better apprentice,” Mrs Thomas said.

“I’m so proud of her and she’s a great asset to the business. There’s no way I could have done it without her.”

Jessica expects to graduate at the end of October, and foresees a long career in the industry.

“I’ll keep hairdressing because I love it, but possibly not always in Tenterfield,” she said.

Jessica said she’s received a good grounding in the basics here and has enjoyed building up her regular clientele, but she’s looking forward to ‘pushing the boundaries’ in hairdressing.