At a boarding school, one thing that gets lost in thought is getting haircuts. Being away from home for months at a time led to long growth in hair. Busy schedules also cause no time for the students to go out and get their hair cut. But one faculty member is making it a little easier.
Williston Northampton brings a solution to this hair cut problem with the help of Jayson Leigh. Leigh helps by bringing real barbers to the school once a month so the students can get their hair cut. With the lack of time off from school, specifically during the second trimester, it is very important that the school can find a way to help their students stay clean and presentable.
Leigh, Williston’s Assistant Director of Admissions, Assistant Dean of DEIB, and football/basketball Coach, understands that the students don’t have the ability to get their hair cut and does his best to help. “I am in my 4th year, and I started doing this in my 2nd year,” Leigh stated. “It started with me bringing kids to the barber shop. Last year was the first time I started bringing the barbers here. Not sure if anything like this happened before I got here though” he said.
Leigh says they bring in around three barbers. “2 barbers and one braider if the numbers are right” he said. “Haircuts start at $30. If you add the beard or eyebrow it goes up to $35, both would be $40. Braiding starts will be anywhere between $25-$60, depending on how many braids you want” he said. Leigh also stated that the barbers are very versatile when it comes to different hair types. “The barbers feel comfortable cutting anyone’s hair and any type of hair. They can use clippers, scissors or both. They are not picky and I have seen them do a great job with all kinds of styles and hair types” he said.
The barbers are mainly based in Springfield, “Both barbers and the hair braider are based of Springfield. One of the barbers works at Fresh Cuts and the other has started his own barbershop,” he said. The barbers will be at Plimpton Hall for the Williston students to go to. “We used to do the haircuts in the athletic center. But the last time and moving forward we will be in Plimpton Hall.”
Leigh also believes that the kids need haircuts because he takes his own seriously, “I love getting my haircut!” he said. “I try to get one every 2-3 weeks. For me it is like taking a shower after a long day of being outside in the summer” he said. “I feel fresh and brand new!”
Pittman Alley a senior at Williston and a recipient of a cut from the barbers Leigh brought to campus, believes Leigh has made it easier to get haircuts on campus.
“I think a lot of guys have appreciated Coach Leigh’s barbers because of the great services they provide, which comes with a more serious price point, but is worth it for serious haircut aficionados,” he said.
Pittman explains his haircut routine, “I like to get my haircut once every two weeks” he said. “I usually get a little bit off the top and taper on the back and sides. I have gotten into this modern mullet look recently, so I have asked for that when I go to the Barber Shop” he said.
Pittman believes that Ore Odutayo, a senior who does his own haircuts on campus, does a good job when dealing with students’ hair as well, but there are some hair services Ore can’t yet provide.
“They provide greater experience that Ore does not have, like complex braiding or extensive designs in a haircut. I have no doubt Ore will continue to get better, and maybe rival the barbers in a few years, but must continue to broaden his haircut arsenal,” he said.
Pittman has been to both Leighs and Ore’s, and believes they are both great.
“I have been going to Ore more often now, because I think he has gotten a lot better with his scissor work,” he said.
