Senior Luis Yeager recently launched his entrepreneurial passion project, practicing barbering in hopes of one day owning his own shop. He views his path towards that goal as a three-part process: mastering the haircuts themselves, growing his social media presence, and eventually, setting up the brick and mortar barbershop. Yeager is getting a head start on the first two, practicing barbering for fellow students and publicizing his work on a new Instagram account, @lou.the_barber.
“With the end of high school coming up and really needing to jumpstart my career, I got new clippers and my stand and a chair,” Yeager said. “I start now so that when I do make it and have my breakout, all my social media and haircutting mistakes are out of the way, so I’m not one step behind in anything else.”
Yet Yeager’s path towards barbering started long before this. He remembers being intrigued by haircuts even as a kid. One time stands out to him in particular, when he cut his own hair in elementary school; his barber told him not to, but jokingly added that if Yeager kept cutting his hair, he’d end up a barber.
Then, in his tenth-grade Career and Technology Applications (CTA) class, Yeager had the opportunity to really explore the possibilities of barbering. His research through the course inspired him to pursue entrepreneurship, and so he’s spent the past few months preparing. For one, Yeager has been practicing giving haircuts to fellow students.
Senior Greg Rubino appreciated the opportunity to support Yeager.
“I think it was good; he kind of gave us a little bit of a speech explaining that he was trying to perfect his trade, so you were kind of giving up your hair to him for something to practice on,” Rubino said. “The more people he gets to go there, the better he’s going to become … Overall, it was a good experience.”
Through haircuts like these, Yeager has not only had the opportunity to practice his skills but also gain publicity. He hopes to become a recognizable name to gain customers for his future barbershop, and is excited for the publicity he’s already gained.
“My biggest reward has been when, recently, I was at a Wawa late at night and I found some kids and they recognized me. I had a five-minute conversation with them and it was really about my future plans and showing support,” Yeager said. “It really lifted my spirits because sometimes it’s all a mental thing.”
Yeager’s future plans include attending the Lehigh Valley Barber and Beauty School, which has a course specifically designed to prepare students to pass the Pennsylvania State Board Exam for barbers.
He found the school through social media and was especially impressed by their post for Autism Awareness Month, highlighting ways barbers can make those with sensory differences feel comfortable during a haircut. The passion evident in their work was something he wanted to be a part of.
After graduating, Yeager hopes to own a chain of his own barber shops. Though he is willing to join an existing establishment, his long-term plans are to start up a location which could become a “cornerstone for many people” in his community. Rubino sees the potential in this.
“It’s good that he is starting now,” Rubino said. “I think if people keep supporting him and he keeps at it he’ll definitely have a future in this.”
Yeager agrees that others’ support has played a large role in his pursuit of barbering. He hopes that anyone with similar entrepreneurial plans follows through as he has.
“You’ve gotta be true to it and not to fear what others might think about it,” Yeager said. “It’s very simple to get in your head about things, but if it’s something you’re truly passionate for, the only thing you can do is just start.”
Southern Lehigh senior styles himself a barber
Photo Credit: Luis Yeager
Senior Luis Yeager practices barbering on fellow student Matthew Wiesner, in hopes of someday opening a shop of his own.
About the Contributor
Alexis Behrens, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Alexis Behrens has been an enthusiastic member of the Spotlight since the very beginning of her time at Southern Lehigh High School. As a freshman, she was eager to take on extra articles to help out the publication and was affectionately known as “the overachiever” of the group. When she eventually joined the editorial team, she was excited to leave her mark on the publication, creating a new front page and layout elements for the print issue. Throughout her time as a writer for the Spotlight, her passion has been constant.
Aside from journalism, Alexis has stayed involved in her school and local community. At SLHS, Alexis is a member of National Honor Society, Teen Counselors, and Spartan Ambassadors. In her spare time, she spends time with her church’s youth group, picks up new books to read, and enjoys paddle boarding locally (but mostly just hitting up her favorite Chinese food buffet).
As Alexis prepares to graduate in May, she is excited to study International Relations in the fall at George Washington University as a part of their Honors Program. She hopes to use her degree to either become a foreign service officer or work in international relations for a global company.
Her interest in international relations stems from her love of learning new languages, traveling to foreign places, and exploring new cultures. Alexis became fluent in Spanish through Southern Lehigh’s Spanish Immersion program, and she volunteers on mission trips with her church.
In the past four years as part of the Spotlight staff, Alexis has held different editorial positions, and worked her way up to hold the title of Co-Editor-in-Chief. She has written across every section of the newspaper, covering everything from war conflicts in Ukraine to celebrity controversies surrounding the live-action film “Snow White.”
More than anything, her time as a leader on The Spotlight has shown Alexis the true value of collaboration.
“I think the greatest lesson that being part of the Spotlight has taught me is working with other students to create something that we can all be proud of,” said Behrens. “It was really fun figuring out what other students wanted to write about, and helping them make that happen. And in the end, when we all went out to hand out the newspapers, everyone was proud of what they did.”
As an editor, Behrens has helped the Spotlight earn numerous Best of School Newspaper Online (SNO) Awards for the monthly staff editorial. She is not afraid to delve into a story or argue her opinion, helping her staff earn national recognition. Individually, Alexis also placed first in the state in the category of news writing, at the 2024 Pennsylvania School Press Association student journalism competition during her junior year.
“It was a really nice way to be able to finish out my junior year,” said Behrens. “And, since I’ve been working on trying to be a better news writer, it was a nice way to…see some improvement over the years.”
Although Alexis originally joined the Spotlight because of her interest in writing, she also found a new talent in graphic design. In the past year as Co-Editor-in-Chief, she has breathed new life into the page design of the Spotlight, creating eye-catching graphics and photo collages that highlighted the annual Homecoming Dance, Multicultural Fair, and Fashion Show.
As an editor, Alexis has enjoyed many Block 3 classes in the publications lab with her fellow editors. Through the stress of deadlines, she appreciates the pub lab for the camaraderie it creates.
“We would all sit around the table, and it was really fun to talk with everyone about things that really never related to journalism,” said Behrens. “I think my favorite memory with that would probably be when Kishore spilled all the coffee, and it smelled like coffee in that room. It smelled like coffee in the room for ages.”
As a dedicated student and involved community member, Alexis has felt the weight of her commitments. As she looks toward the future, she remembers a silly piece of advice that one of her English teachers, Mrs. Lauren Tocci, offered.
“I really liked one thing Mrs. Tocci said way back in 10th grade. She was like, sometimes ‘we’re all riding the struggle bus,’ and it’s nice to remember that like we all have our things that we’re going through, and regardless, we still have to help each other and help ourselves overcome that.”