Lauren Baker, who enrolled in June to pursue her passion for cosmetology, said she learned of the closure on Nov. 3. She described the news as devastating for a tight-knit group of students midway through the year-long program.

"I love the creativity. I love the relationships you make with the clients," Baker said.

Baker said the owner presented students with two options: accept a partial refund or transfer to another program. Students have until Dec. 4 to make that choice.

But finding a new school has proven difficult. Baker said the only other local option, Votech, is full and has an extensive waiting list for both adults and high school students.

"There are not very many options, and Votech is full of high school students," Baker said. "And there is an extensive waiting list, not only for adults there but also high school students."

Other cosmetology schools are located in Stillwater or Enid, but Baker said transportation is a barrier for some students. Transferring could also mean losing up to half of the hours they have already completed, she said.

"They're angry. They're lost. They don't know what's next for them," Baker said.

Despite the setback, Baker said she still plans to pursue a career in cosmetology. She is weighing an apprenticeship or waiting for a spot to open at Votech.

"I'm looking for either an apprenticeship or to wait on a spot to open at the Votech to go over there," she said.

An instructor at the school declined to comment, and the owner has not responded to inquiries.

The closure highlights the limited options for career and technical training in the region, where students seeking hands-on credentials can face long waits and long drives. For Baker and her classmates, the coming weeks will determine whether they can continue their education without starting over.