James Petit’Lee sports a fresh fade after a visit to Thunder Blessed Barbershop at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | February 2026
A student-run barbershop at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School is doing more than delivering clean fades and fresh trims. It is opening doors.
Thunder Blessed Barbershop, an after-school program inside East High, is giving students hands-on experience in barbering and entrepreneurship while providing free or low-cost haircuts to classmates and staff.
The buzz of clippers and trimmers now signals something bigger than style. It signals opportunity.
“All right. Ready?” freshman Chase Saelee says in district video of the program. “Yeah. I got my clippers. I got my trimmer.”
The program began after staff noticed talented young barbers cutting hair informally in hallways and bathrooms. Rather than shut it down, school leaders created a structured club where students could practice safely inside the building with guidance and support.
“We have a lot of excellent youth barbers in the building,” said Laura Ingham, Safety and Security at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. “We decided to start a club where they have an opportunity to cut people’s hair in the building.”
For some students, barbering is already a serious pursuit. Christian Her, a student featured in the district’s video, says he has been cutting hair for nearly four years and calls it his dream job. Others say the experience helps them build clientele and sharpen their skills.
James Petit’Lee, a freshman at East High, says the quality of the cuts speaks for itself.
“Cuz we got like the best barbers here and stuff,” Petit’Lee says while getting his hair cut. “We got professional barbers, like good barbers and stuff.”
The barbershop also serves practical needs across campus. Students who cannot afford regular haircuts can receive one at school. Participants in the ROC program, who are required to maintain haircuts, have access on campus. Athletes often stop in for a quick lineup before big games. Staff members can get a trim between classes.
Beyond the chair, students are gaining exposure to a skilled trade that can lead to state licensure and long-term careers. In Alaska, professional barbers must complete required training hours and pass a licensing exam. While Thunder Blessed Barbershop is not a licensing program, it provides real-world practice, mentorship, and business experience that can serve as a strong foundation after graduation.
District leaders say programs like this reflect a broader commitment to career and technical education that connects learning to life beyond high school. If the model continues to grow, Thunder Blessed Barbershop could inspire similar student-run enterprises across Anchorage schools.
At East High, students are not just learning how to fade and line up. They are learning how to serve, how to build a skill, and how to create opportunity for themselves and others.
