East Side students get free back-to-school haircuts

Que Cuts Program provided the haircuts for children

SAN ANTONIO – Children on the city's East Side got a fresh back-to-school haircut Wednesday morning for free.

The annual Que Cuts Program provides free haircuts for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade before school starts.

With every clip and cut, the barbers at Williams Barber College know they're shaving dollars off families' back-to-school expenses. For 13 years, the school has offered kids free haircuts for a few days before the first day of school.

The Psi Alpha graduate chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity hosts the event at the East Side barber school

Fraternity brother David Williams remembers growing up when cash was tight. His father cut his hair.

"You know I'm from a family of 10," Williams said. "He wrecked it. So you know this gives the kids, it helps their self-esteem. You know they feel real good when they go back to school."

Paul Mena brought his three boys and three girls to the event for the first time.

Mena said he spends an average of $150 per child for back-to-school related items.

The free haircuts are a relief for his budget.

"It costs like 12 bucks a head, so quite a bit of money," Mena said.

For the barbers, it's about thanking the city for raising the next generation of customers.

"Allowing the freshmen to become juniors, the juniors to become seniors and the seniors to become productive citizens," Williams Barber College owner Elon Silas said.

The free haircuts for students are also available Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at Williams Barber College at 520 South W.W. White Road.