BEDFORD - The green room at Bedford High School's theater was turned into a salon for an afternoon, as students in the Cosmetology Club helped Ross A. Lurgio middle school students get ready for their winter dance.

The girls teamed up with students from the Manchester School of Technology to crimp, curl and polish about 25 middle schoolers as a fundraiser to benefit Canine Commitment of New Hampshire. While the clients weren't charged for their salon services, donations were accepted and will be sent to the organization.

It is the second year for the salon, said Marianne Philbrick, the School to Career coordinator at Bedford High School.

Students need to earn real-world learning hours to graduate, and Philbrick said a group of students formed the Cosmetology Club last year to fulfill the requirement.

"They offered to do hair for the winter dance last year, and it just grew from there," she said.

Philbrick said the event is a win for all involved, from the student stylists getting some experience, to the middle schoolers who get some pampering before their big night, to the animals at Canine Commitment.

"This gives the students a chance to practice and show their stuff, and it gives the middle school students a chance to come and see the high school and see what it's like," she said.

Parents were supportive of an idea that saved them both time and expense, and made their daughters feel special.

"I think it's awesome, they're really fussing over the girls," said Marlana Gagnon, who brought her mother, Simone Garccynski, to see her daughter Hannah's transformation.

"It gets them excited, and it makes them feel grown-up and special," said mom Lisa Neikam.

Seventh-grader Sammi Joswick attended with one of her friends and said she was excited to see what she would look like when her hair was finished.

Those helping out said they enjoyed pampering the middle schoolers for their big night.

"I love doing hair," said Brittanie Trudeau. "The girls get experience, and it's a charity event, too."

"I know I'd want my hair done to look pretty for a dance," said Jamie Dickey.

Donna Tremblay, instructor at the Manchester School of Technology, said the partnership between the schools is one she hopes to grow in the future.

"Any kind of connection we can make is so perfect," she said.

kremillard@newstote.com