Salem Reporter is publishing profiles about one graduating senior from each Salem-Keizer School District high school for its Class of 2026 series. The seniors were selected by their teachers, coaches and advisors for exceptional leadership and perseverance. See the other profiles here.  Before becoming a star cosmetology student, Vanessa Duarte Ignacio had to be convinced the program would be worth her time. At her mom’s direction, Duarte Ignacio applied and got into the Salem-Keizer School District’s Career Technical Education Center, which has programs designed to prepare students for careers in trades, design, law enforcement and more. She said cosmetology seemed like “the least boring” of the programs to choose from. During a welcome event for the incoming CTEC class, teacher Hilda Simpson first met Duarte Ignacio, then a sophomore, and her mom. She assumed the mom wanted to make sure the cosmetology program fit Duarte Ignacio’s existing interest in the field. “Come to find out, no, it was, ‘My brilliant daughter needs convincing that this is a program for her,’” Simpson said. Duarte Ignacio’s first day getting her hands on hair junior year quickly changed her perspective. “I just liked it in the beginning from seeing what we got to do with hair and that fun project with crazy hair,” she said to Simpson, referring to a project where students competed to create the silliest hair style. Since then, Duarte Ignacio, now a graduating senior, became a standout student in CTEC’s cosmetology program where she is known for her determination and entrepreneurship.  She is graduating from McKay High School, where she completed most of her general classes by her sophomore year. She took language tests and business classes that helped her earn school credits quickly, allowing her to focus on CTEC in the second half of high school. In the cosmetology program, she quickly found a preference for working with hair and esthetics, which includes facials, waxing and makeup. She practiced her skills through taking on real clients for hair appointments or facials. While learning how to beautify people, Duarte Ignacio stayed involved by also participating in sports at McKay, including basketball and tennis, until her senior year. Duarte Ignacio’s business instincts, and ability to build a network of clients, stood out. Her teacher recalled how Duarte Ignacio stepped in to promote herself at CTEC’s holiday bazaar last December, which was a night where people could shop from students’ services and products. “This year was a slower year, and so Vanessa took it upon herself to go out and start offering our services to everyone that was out in the bazaar,” Simpson said. “She went out and said, ‘Hey, come see me. Come see my classmates, look at the services we’re doing.’” Simpson described Duarte Ignacio as a leader with initiative, who volunteers for everything. Duarte Ignacio was on CTEC’s student leadership team, which discusses improvements for the center and ways to bring students together. CTEC students, who are spread out among the 10 career programs, often don’t get to bond as a whole school. “I was proposing that we do like Industry Days within our programs. So like construction, for example, comes to cosmetology and learns something about us, or we go over there and learn how to build a mini table,” Duarte Ignacio said.  She said that the program is planned to start next year. Outside of cosmetology and school activities, Duarte Ignacio is also interested in law enforcement. She’s been a cadet with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office since June 2025. Through her time there, she’s done ride-alongs, gone to a shooting range and participated in community events like Salem’s holiday parade. She’s looking forward to an annual challenge for cadets to practice their skills in law enforcement scenarios like traffic stops, going to court and managing high-risk situations. She especially enjoys conducting traffic stops. After graduation, she is going to Chemeketa Community College to study business administration and plans to get a license to work as a cosmetologist. She hopes to one day open her own salon.  After college, she plans to apply to be a deputy with the sheriff’s office, where she sees herself balancing a law enforcement career with her cosmetology skills. Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected]. Make Salem Reporter your trusted source for accurate, independent local news – every day. Stay informed and connected to your community. Subscribe today. The post CLASS OF 2026: McKay grad balances passions for cosmetology, law enforcement appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less