Free haircuts, manicures and hairdos were offered to more than 20 students Wednesday at Truman Middle School.

In an effort to provide students a “new outlook for the new year” the school hosted what it calls a Pamper Party from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We decided to try to raise some self-esteem, give them a holiday gift,” said Amber Smith, School Nurse. “Self-esteem, school attendance, school performance, health all kind of go hand-in-hand so we thought if we could make them feel awesome and hopefully this will extend beyond one day that this will help in other areas of school also.”

Various hairstylists from local businesses and salons volunteered their time to the pamper party.

“I got my makeup done and my nails done,” said Hailey Walker, a student at Truman. “It was fun. I learned how to do my nails a lot better and a lot fancier and I learned how to put on proper makeup.”

Ethan Brown is also a student at Truman and said he got his hair cut.

“I really like it a lot,” Brown said. “I decided to get it a lot longer at the top and shorter as it went down and got my hair parted to the side.”

Brown and Walker both said the day made them feel better.

Six stylists and more than 25 students took part in the event.

“There was no process we had for picking students,” Smith said. “The kids are excited, their parents are excited for them, some of them maybe couldn’t provide this for them otherwise at home.”

School Principal Jason Callaway also took part in the event helping to paint fingernails.