Local heroes and heroines basked in the star treatment they deserve this Veterans Day, thanks to 16 cosmetology and barbering students and their instructors from Downingtown’s Technical College High School Brandywine Campus.

“I’m an Army brat; my father passed away 11 years ago, so this is important to me,” instructor Deborah L. McDonaugh said. “The people who served (our country) deserve this. It’s the least we can do. Everyone is excited to do this. We even have past graduates come back on this day to volunteer.”

The students and volunteers spent four hours at the Coatesville VA Medical Center cutting hair and trimming beards and mustaches for 50 male veterans as well as cutting and coloring hair, giving perms, doing manicures and applying makeup for 25 female veterans.

“It helps build their morale,” said Elena Allen, the VA Medical Center retiree who started the “Day of Beauty for Veterans” makeovers two decades ago. “New makeup or a new haircut or style, of course that would make you feel good.”

TCHS students have been pitching in for more than 10 years, with the barbering students coming along three years ago.

“It’s definitely nice to give back,” added Madison Miller, a Coatesville High and TCHS cosmetology grad who is now studying barbering. “It’s rewarding and enjoyable, and gives real-life experience to the students. They all understand how great it is to be able to do that, learning everything as they go.”

The experience also allowed some students to fulfill a requirement for their SkillsUSA “American Spirit Project” — the contest encouraging community service, patriotism and citizenship, and promotion of career and technical education projects that demonstrate a belief in the American way of life.

“I don’t mind giving my time. The (veterans) gave their time for us,” senior TCHS barbering and Downingtown West student Brian Thompson commented.