Cost Cutters Staff Remembers Amanda Connors

by Breanna Fuss, Reporter
December 03, 2012 5:28 PM


Employees at the Cost Cutters Salon on 41st Street in Sioux Falls are still grieving over the loss of a co-worker this summer. Amanda Connors was shot to death outside the salon when she tried to protect a co-worker from a violent boyfriend. Three months later, the salon is honoring Connors' memory.   

Not a single chair sits empty at the Cost Cutters off of 41st Street. But the busy schedule comes at a price. Manager Amanda Connors was shot and killed outside of the building in September and now the salon is making sure her memory lives on.
   
“We are actually going to raise money that will go toward a scholarship at Stewart School,” said Kaylee Spolum, the general manager of the salon.
     
 That’s where Connors received her cosmetology license. Co-workers said she would want them to give back to someone struggling to pay for cosmetology school.     

"100 percent of the proceeds will go toward the scholarship,” said Spolum.

Matrix hosted the event as apart of their ‘Chairs of Change,’ campaign. The company donated time and products to help fellow stylists after the death of their co-worker.
 
"That chair that a customer sits in everyday, hair dressers have no idea how much power they have to change a life,” said Jackie Kopeerski, a Matrix worker from Omaha.

 And it’s that power; Matrix feels will help others heal.

Those coming in to donate appreciate the outreach.

“It was just so sad it happened, she was just trying to do the right thing, and I think if something good can come out of this, she would be very happy,” said Donna Reisdorf from Sioux Falls.

But as the stylists clip a way, they kept in mind what lead them to where they are today.

"I don’t think any of us will be the same, but we are just trying to take it one day at a time,” said Spolum.

As of Monday evening the cut-a-thon had raised $3,175. Stewart School has agreed to match up to $2,000 of funds raised as well.