Athletes are accustomed to winning competitions by a hair.

Travis Thornton hopes to win, too, but he'll need a lot more.

Thornton, an 11th grade student in Highland Springs Technical Center's cosmetology program, is getting ready for the SkillsUSA national competition in Kansas City next month.

He'll compete against other state champions in a rigorous competition of haircuts, styling and knowledge.

Thornton is the first Henrico County student to win Virginia's high school cosmetology competition, held last month in Hampton. He's also the first male winner in two decades and one of few 11th graders to take the top prize of a gold medal and prizes from sponsors.

Julie Childress, an instructor in the program at Highland Springs, said Thornton is one of the few male students in the program. He's also one of the best.

"He's probably the most gifted student we've had," she said.

Thornton says doing hair comes naturally. He can't quite explain the process.

"I just start and my hands start moving and when it's finished, it's finished," he explained.

The 18-year old junior said he has been doing hair since he was 7.

"I used to watch my mama do hair and I'd look at people and how they did hair. Then I'd go home and make it up."

To win the state competition, Thornton had to complete three haircuts, an updo, a written exam and an oral presentation.

For nationals, the challenge is greater: four haircuts, a relaxer, re-touch, a permanent wave, color, updo, written exam and oral presentation. The entire competition takes about eight hours, said Childress.

The national cosmetology contest is expected to draw several dozen contestants, organizers say, while the competition for all technical skills will bring more than 5,000 students from throughout the nation. The Highland Springs and Hermitage tech centers will send more than a dozen students to take part in other competitions.

No matter the outcome of the nationals, Thornton said he's excited just to be traveling. The trip will be his first airplane flight.

He plans to finish the cosmetology program at Highland Springs next year, earn his license and work. He'd like to attend the competitive Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and eventually open his own salon.

He already has a steady stream of clients. Since he's not yet a licensed cosmetologist, he can't charge for doing hair, though he is allowed to accept tips.

Thornton loves doing other people's hair but he's picky about who can touch his own ever-changing mane, which this week was cropped short with a touch of bright red.

His uncle, he said, was responsible for his latest haircut.
Contact Lisa Crutchfield at (804) 649-6362 or lcrutchfield@timesdispatch.com.