SJHS cosmetology grad who now owns her own salon named 2019 VDOE “Career Success Star”

Valeria Lora studied cosmetology for two years at Stonewall Jackson High School and worked in the field while completing her associate’s degree in liberal arts at Northern Virginia Community College. She took advantage of the full scope of cosmetology, learning about hair, skin, and nail care, as well as studying at the Esthetic Institute for permanent makeup.

Using her years of experience working in other salons, she finally realized her dream and opened her own business in 2017.

Now the SJHS graduate is the 2019 Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Career Success Stars winner for the Human Services Cluster.

The Career Success Stars in CTE is a new VDOE initiative that features former students in their 20s and 30s from schools around Virginia who have used the academic and technical skills and knowledge earned through CTE programs to achieve success in one of 16 CTE-related career fields.

Melanie Switzer, Lora’s cosmetology teacher at SJHS stated, “Valeria embodies so many components of CTE success. She is determined to accomplish her dreams, take all the necessary steps, and work hard to make them happen.  She appreciates the doors that CTE has opened for her and is a huge supporter of the field of cosmetology. “