Cosmetology Student’s Fashion-Forward Future
Meet Maycie Norman: A Small-Town Student with Big-Time Fashion Dreams
Maycie Norman, a senior at Crest High School and a dual-enrolled student at Cleveland Community College, is proving that ambition and talent can take you anywhere—even from Shelby to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.
From Cosmetology to Couture
While working toward her Cosmetology diploma at CCC, Maycie discovered her passion for fashion through her involvement in SkillsUSA, a national organization that empowers students in career and technical education.
“I’ve always known I wanted to work in fashion,” Maycie says. “But I didn’t always know exactly what I wanted to do in it.”
That changed when she started designing for SkillsUSA competitions, uncovering a love not just for style, but for fashion design itself.
SkillsUSA Competition Success: ‘Under the Sea’ and Over the Top
In the 2025 SkillsUSA North Carolina State Conference, Maycie took second place in the Fantasy Hair & Make-Up category. The theme? Under the Sea.
In preparation for the competition, Maycie created a Pinterest vision board and sketched ideas for the costume, hair and make-up. She and her model, Morgan, practiced the hair and makeup, tailoring the styles and designs to fit Morgan’s natural features. Once she had the costume design perfected, she created it by hand.
The competition itself was intense. Maycie had about 90 minutes each to complete the hair and makeup, then 30 minutes to help Morgan into the costume. On top of the styling work, she participated in a mock interview and submitted sketches and a resume for the judges to review. She was also required to read an overview about what inspired her design during her model’s runway walk, It was a full experience—one that mirrored the fast pace and pressure she expects to encounter in the fashion world.
And that’s exactly what she loves about it.
What Drives Her Passion
“Creating looks and designs that mean something to you and to others—something that brings you joy—that’s what I like about fashion,” Maycie explains.
That love of expression and creativity is fueling her next step: enrolling at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC.
What’s Next for Maycie Norman?
With high school nearly behind her and her cosmetology diploma just two semesters away, Maycie is focused on making her mark in one of the world’s most competitive industries.
“The fast pace of the competition has helped me prepare,” she says. “I enjoy the process.”
From a small town to the runway lights, Maycie Norman is chasing her passion, and this is just the beginning.
Dig Deeper
Interested in a career in beauty or fashion? Learn more about CCC’s Personal Care Services programs.
Want to learn more about how SkillsUSA is helping career and technical education students hone their skills and prepare for the workforce? https://www.skillsusa.org/