Bea Worton arrives at the college cosmetology school Thursday afternoon for her appointment, just as she has done every Thursday for the last 10 years.

The 84-year-old “Aunt Bea” — as she is know among cosmetology students and staff —has been having her hair and nails done at the cosmetology salon since it opened in 2001.

“She’s a great customer,” Sheila Scheib, cosmetology instructor/coordinator, said.

Worton began coming to Seward’s cosmetology school after the Academy of Hair Design in Liberal was closed many years ago. Worton lives in Forgan, Okla.

She has lived there for the past 33 years. On Thursdays she drives to Liberal to receive salon services at Seward’s cosmetology school.

Worton said that Scheib would go out of her way to help her with anything she needed.

“There are no girls friendlier than the ones here,” Worton said.

For the past years, Worton has had one student attend her until that student graduates. Then, Worton’s assigned student hand selects the next student who will help Worton until her term is completed.

This Thursday, Worton was introduced to the new student who would be helping her for approximately the next six months, Nancy Renteria.

Renteria was neither intimidated nor afraid to be the chosen one to help Worton.

“I was excited, I had already been explained on what to do,” Renteria said. As Renteria attented Worton, she said she built a new friendship.

“I just think she’s amazing because of everything she does.”

Worton is just a favorite. “She makes everyone feel comfortable,” Schieb said. The relationship that has grown over the years between the cosmetology students and one of their most loyal customers recently brought about an opportunity for the students to help Worton with one of her pet projects.

Worton is part of the ConKerr Cancer organization that makes homemade pillowcases to brighten the lives of sick children in hospitals.

Worton spoke about her project to the students at the cosmetology school. They noticed how lately Worton had been speaking of how much more expensive the material for the pillowcases was.

They decided that they wanted to start a fundraiser to help Worton. Their fundraiser consisted of selling a brand name hand lotion, and they raised $300 for Worton’s cause.

Worton was very happy and highly grateful toward the students. She bought plenty of material to make many more pillowcases for ConKerr.

“She couldn’t be any more thankful,” Scheib said.

Worton has been quilting and sewing ever since she was a child. She grew up making her own dresses, and continued to sew for her children as they grew up.

Worton continues sewing, quilting, and she participates in many craft shows around the area.

As busy as Worton gets with all of her work and projects, she is still setting up and attending her appointments at SCCC cosmetology every Thursday.

“It’s nice to be treated so special,” Worton said.