When the Pennsylvania Academy of Cosmetology unexpectedly closed in February, Meghann Gregg didn’t know what would happen.

The Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center (GJCTC) stepped in to help, expanding its “Career in a Year” program to include adult cosmetology.

Gregg said she’s grateful she can continue her education with the support of her family. However, there’s one person she wished could be there to see it.

“My father actually recently passed away. Before he passed away, he was very excited for me to get into the program. So when it closed I was upset about it, but now that this happened it just makes me happy to make him proud,” Gregg said.

Gregg and 18 other classmates who were displaced now have a new, renovated salon. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new school took place Tuesday morning. The salon has state-of-the-art hair, nail, makeup and skin care stations.

It cost GJCTC $90,000 to start the program. The school also gave out more than $100,000 in scholarships.

“These students had already paid most of their tuition for their education before the unfortunate closing. Therefore, they’re already out of pocket and we didn’t feel it was fair to charge them again for services they’ve already received. They are only paying us for the remaining time they had on their curriculum,” said John Augustine, the GJCTC administrative director.

Gregg will finish classes in November. While her father won’t be at her graduation, she knows he would have been happy to see her reach that milestone.

“He was extremely happy. He actually didn’t see me go into the program, but I know that it’s what he wanted me to do. He would be proud and I’m extremely happy to be able to make him proud,” said Gregg.

The cosmetology school plans to have four start-dates for students throughout the year. Enrollment for June is now open.