Mother and daughter duo Betty and Brandy Barber are in their first year at Northland Pioneer College (NPC), and together, with help from the Metallica Scholars Initiative, are realizing that the path to a brighter future is possible, one day at a time.
Mother Betty said, “We saw the opportunity through NPC as a way to start fresh and do something positive for ourselves and others.” They moved to the White Mountains just over a year ago to help an ailing family member. For daughter Brandy, it was also a way to disassociate from negative elements that were not serving her well.
Now in her second semester of NPC’s cosmetology program, Brandy is a recovering addict who has been sober for over a year. She credits sobriety and the unwavering support of her mother as the foundation that allowed her to return to school and pursue her goals. Balancing coursework and work responsibilities, Brandy has discovered that life in recovery is not only manageable but empowering.
Similarly, Betty, who hadn’t been in school for some time, was able to lean on her daughter to figure out crucial steps for her classes. “We were able to help each other out as we went,” Betty said. “I knew I was going to be the oldest one in my class,” she laughed. “But it helped that we were doing it together and were able to help each other figure it out.”
“The Metallica Scholars Initiative is the only way we have been able to do this,” Betty said. “The gas money and help with purchasing equipment for our classes have been a miracle for us.” Brandy said, “I was worried about going back to school and the financial strains it would cause, but now I can enjoy what I’m doing, and I don’t have to stress about how I’m going to pay for it.”
Ideally, the Barber mother-daughter duo hopes to work in tandem one day, perhaps providing mobile phlebotomy and in-home beauty services. Brandy said, “There are so many opportunities in the field of cosmetology that I never even realized. It doesn’t have to be working at a salon. “I would like to one day have a salon suite and then do in-home cosmetology services a few days a week, for moms or people who don’t have the time, or for those who have difficulty traveling, or who are homebound. We could package it. Take their bloodwork while they get their hair done,” she laughed.
“I want to give back to people who are in need,” said Brandy. “I want to show people that they are important and loved no matter what.” To get more practice, Brandy currently gives free haircuts at the Elks Lodge on the first Tuesday of every month. “I enjoy it. The members are so thankful for the attention and services, and I see that it makes a difference in their lives,” she said.
For Betty, seeing Brandy heal and excel is the greatest part of their journey at NPC thus far.
“I’m so proud of my daughter; she’s done so well.” Brandy said, “I’m proud of myself for staying consistent and sticking with it, and for showing up with a good attitude. Through rehab and now school, I know that no matter what it is, I can do it, one day at a time.”
