By Julie Slama  |  [email protected]

Copperview Elementary third-grader Savannah Williams sat on her school stage while she watched some split ends fall to the floor from her thick, long hair.

Thanks to the Paul Mitchell School, Copperview students had the chance for free haircuts April 14, the day before spring school photos. About 10 stylists and future professionals from the Paul Mitchell School donated their time and set up a makeshift salon in the school’s gymnasium. About 30 students took advantage of the offer.

“All of our students deserve an opportunity to look their best, so we thought this would be a great tradition to start and one our patrons can take advantage of,” Principal Chanci Loran said. “We didn’t set any limits other than to say it’s just haircuts.”

Savannah appreciated the new trim.

“If I don’t have my hair cut, it just knots up,” she said, adding that her mom’s cousin usually cuts it but has been busy.

Her dad, Marcus, said that the trim was at the right time.

“Her haircut was overdue, so this was a blessing,” he said.

For years, photos have been a typical back-to-school event. But Copperview, a Title I school where 33 percent of the student body turns over each year, holds school photos twice a year, once in fall and again in spring, Canyons School District spokesperson Kirsten Stewart said.

This is the second Canyons School District elementary school to team up with Paul Mitchell to give students free haircuts. Earlier this year, students at Midvale Elementary got their hair trimmed.

“We — all of us, the stylists and the kids — have such a great time,” said Paul Mitchell School learning leader (or instructor) Hollie Galloway Langlois, who helped at Midvale Elementary.

Hair stylist Kat Denney sad that she has helped with styling hair and makeup at several high school events, musicals and Keys to Success events.

“It’s the first time I’ve volunteered and cut for elementary students,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun doing trims and easy styles — nothing drastic, but something they can style and keep up.”

Learning leader Erin Dockstader said that it has given their future professionals a chance to give service to the community.

“We are able to donate our time and help some of these students with haircuts who may not have been able to afford them,” Dockstader said about providing service to the Title I school children where 85 percent of the student body qualifies for free or reduced lunch. “We want to help them look their best and feel their best for school photos. I know how nervous or uncertain young children can feel when you don’t have the same opportunities as others, so this is a way to make everyone feel comfortable and have the same fun experience.”

Dockstader said that normally at Paul Mitchell, hair cuts cost about $12-14.

That’s about how much Joana Clavel pays to have her second-grader Jahaziel Loya’s hair cut twice each month.

“When I go to the salon, it costs $13 twice each month,” she said. “Money is important. This is free and he looks much better.”

Fourth-grader Nathan Hallum got his hair cut as well.

“My dad is the one who said I needed my hair cut,” he said. “School photos are tomorrow, but it will help if my hair isn’t in my face when I’m doing sports.”

Nathan’s dad, Daniel, said he served in the military, so he appreciates Nathan’s hair cut short.

“We compromise and find a happy medium,” Hallum said. “Today worked out great, as he came out of one after-school program and there was a spot available for him. It was awesome that the whole school could take advantage of [it], especially since we’re a Title I school and might not be able to afford it. It’s great timing right before our school photos.”