Las Vegas barbershops offer free haircuts, photos for 2020 grads
by Alex ChhithDr. Dillard A. Scott takes a photo of Messiah Harris, 6, for his kindergarten graduation at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeDr. Dillard A. Scott takes a photo of Messiah Harris, 6, for his kindergarten graduation at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeDestiny England, 17, left, and her friend Le 'Quitta Ragland, 18, prepare to have their high school graduation photo taken at 5 Star Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeDr. Dillard A. Scott takes a photo of Jourdyn Carson, 6, for his kindergarten graduation at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeDr. Dillard A. Scott adjusts the hat of Jourdyn Carson, 6, for his kindergarten graduation photo at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeMr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeDr. Dillard A. Scott takes a photo of Jourdyn Carson, 6, for his kindergarten graduation at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeDr. Dillard A. Scott puts a hat on Messiah Harris, 6, for his kindergarten graduation photo at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeDr. Dillard A. Scott puts glasses on Jourdyn Carson, 6, for his kindergarten graduation photo at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeDr. Dillard A. Scott takes a photo of Messiah Harris, 6, for his kindergarten graduation at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeMorgan Harris holds up his son Messiah Harris, 6, after having his kindergarten graduation photo taken at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeMorgan Harris holds up his son Messiah Harris, 6, after having his kindergarten graduation photo taken at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeMorgan Harris takes a photo of his son Messiah Harris, 6, after having his kindergarten graduation photo taken at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeHerb Holder takes a photo of Destiny England, 17, for her high school graduation at 5 Star Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeHerb Holder takes a photo of Destiny England, 17, for her high school graduation at 5 Star Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeKamika Adams adjusts the cap of her daughter Le 'Quitta Ragland, 18, as Julian Kemper takes a photo for her high school graduation at 5 Star Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeKamika Adams laughs with her daughter Le 'Quitta Ragland, 18, as Julian Kemper takes a photo for her high school graduation at 5 Star Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__raeDr. Dillard A. Scott takes a photo of Tysean Groce, 11, for his 5th graded graduation at Mr. North Las Vegas Barbershop in North Las Vegas, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Different barbershops and photographers worked together to provide free portraits for graduating high school seniors, kindergarteners, and 5th graders after portraits were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__rae
To celebrate 2020 graduates, Las Vegas Valley barbershops gave out free haircuts and professional photos to high school seniors, fifth graders and kindergartners on Sunday.
5 Star Barbershop in North Las Vegas was busy with graduates in caps and gowns getting their photos taken by volunteer photographers. All 47 available slots were filled almost instantly online, owner Michael “Shorty” Joyner said.
Food, drinks, caps and gowns were donated to the effort, he added.
“We always try to do whatever we can in the community,” Joyner said. “If we need to do it we will.”
Brittany Benberry of North Las Vegas brought her graduating daughter to the shop to celebrate the occasion.
“At first I thought she felt a little down about graduation being canceled,” she said, adding that her older sister had a party and photo shoot for her high school graduation last year.
For her daughter, Anijha Jackson, the day was enough.
“Being celebrated and noticed is good enough for me,” the Cheyenne High School graduate said during her photo shoot.
The endeavor was spearheaded by Robert “Twix” Taylor, who hosted the first free event last week at his Fade ’Em All Summerlin barbershop. He had serviced about 50 seniors and heard more were interested.
He asked Joyner and barbers at the Mr. North Las Vegas Barber Shop if they would be interested in participating. The latter barbershop also serviced kindergartens and fifth graders on Sunday. All together, about 120 students were able to get their photos taken.
“Just like a virus can spread, I believe when people do good things for people from the heart that positivity can spread even more,” Taylor said. “And seeing mothers shed tears of joy really let us know how valuable these pictures are to their families.”
