The Lincoln High School commons was buzzing with the sound of clippers and appreciation for Barbers for the Future, nonprofit brainchild of Mayra Quintanilla of Platinum Kutz.

More than 50 Railsplitters lined up for cuts, head shaves and even hair carving at no cost. Quintanilla and 10 other barbers provided haircuts as other students waited and watched in the Lincoln High School cafeteria.

“Haircuts cost money and I can remember sometimes having to cut my own hair when I was a kid. This is a way for us to give back,” she told writer Mike Wellman almost one year ago at a similar event at Howe Elementary School.

Quintanilla has a connection to DMPS, having attended Brooks and Longfellow elementary schools, Callanan Middle School and Roosevelt High School before graduating from high school in Nebraska.

Among the other Des Moines businesses donating their time to style hair at Lincoln High were Dapper DSM, Platinum Signature Barbershop and Domo The Barber.

It was an opportunity not only for a free style, but a chance to watch some of our city’s best hair styling artists in action!

In-school hair salons have popped up elsewhere, too, a perk for students during a time when many services have been interrupted due to the pandemic. Over at East High, two former Scarlets who are now barbers have donated their time to provide free haircuts for students making progress in areas like academics and attendance.

View DMPS photos of Barbers for the Future at LHS

Watch a video introduction from the Barbers for the Future Facebook page