Laurel Candelario People of Plant City

By Cheryl Johnston

Pittsburgh native Laurel Candelario is a lifelong learner. As the cosmetology instructor at Plant City High School, she explained, “I’ve gone to high school for 32 years of my life! The salon industry is all I’ve ever known. This year, I’ve graduated with the class of 2023!”

She has loved her work and students, but now it’s time to enjoy those well-deserved retirement years. “It’s my prayer I’ve made a difference in the lives of kids,” she added. “Beauty is way more than esthetic. It comes from the heart. It’s beautiful to serve others.” Share a little about yourself and family.

I’m the widow of the late Sgt Maj Rafael A. Candelario, United States Marine Corps. My greatest joy is being the mother of two daughters, Lindsay, and Kirsten Ritenbaugh, both Plant City High School graduates. I’m a member of Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon, where I enjoy involvement in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program. My Plant City neighborhood is the best! Seven households get together for dinner every Sunday night. We’re all from different states and have made our own little “family.”

How did your cosmetology career begin?

My very beautiful Aunt Jeanne was so glamorous and still is. As a little girl, trips with her to the salon were amazing. She encouraged me, so I attended my high school’s cosmetology program. Since then, I’ve been a licensed cosmetologist in Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania, from where I earned a Vocational Education certificate at the University of Pittsburgh and have a cosmetology instructor’s license. I’ve taught 28 years in the Hillsborough County School District and spent 20 years working in salons - ten each at The Hair Shapers by Cassano and with Penzone Salon and Spas.

Appointed by governors Bush, Scott, and Crist to the Florida Board of Cosmetology, I served 17 years and became a Regional Director for the National Interstate Council of Boards of Cosmetology for a time and participated in national exam development.

What do you love about your work?

My favorite part has been relationships with fellow professionals, clients, and students. My co-teachers, the late Ginger Forte’ and now, Irish Miller have truly become my sisters. Irish and I sing together every day! I’ll miss that!

My salon guests became friends and together we journeyed through life’s ups and downs. Students often call me “Mom,” which is such an honor and I’ve shed many tears at graduations.

When I first meet new students, some as young as 14, they’re children who can’t hold a comb and scissors at the same time. But once they gain knowledge, skill, and confidence, they win Skills USA regional, state, and national competitions. By graduation time, they’ve become licensed adults with a means to support their families. Whether they pursue cosmetology as a career or not, I’ve always made it a point to remember they’re God’s creation. It’s my calling to love them where they are.

Share a special memory of Plant City life.

One of my fondest would be the first year my class did Fairy Princess Makeovers in memory of Megan Carpenter, our Angel in Heaven. My students and this community came together in a very large way! It was a testimony not only to sweet Megan and the lives she touched, but also to our little town. We continued the tradition from 2007 through 2019, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society.

My PCHS class has a special relationship with our ESE students. We served them many years in the school salon and hosted the annual “Every Buddy is Beautiful” fundraiser show for our Raider Buddies, formerly “Best Buddies.”

Being voted PCHS Teacher of the Year in 2008 by my fellow faculty members was also very humbling!

Any hobbies and retirement plans?

I love to ride my bike and have summer trips planned to visit my parents and Pittsburgh family, too. I’m fascinated by the history, pageantry, and traditions of British Royalty and hope someday to visit England. My little dog is a Yorkie mix named Britain.

I hope to find a way to see former students. My daughter suggested a Sunday afternoon drop in at Roots in Plant City. Students could visit and maybe donate to the PCHS cosmetology program…a wonderful “give back” to support the future of the salon industry!

I’m very excited for our students’ next school year because my replacement is our very own, PCHS Cosmetology’s Class of 2000 graduate, April Brooks. She and Irish Miller will take the program into the future.