Cindy Ferguson has made a life out of the things she loves to do. She started as a cosmetologist, and is now enjoying a decadeslong career working with children; she has owned her own daycare, been the director of a Head Start program, and now works as an aide at Lipan ISD.
Ferguson graduated from Dublin High School in 1995, and went on to study cosmetology. “I always wanted to do hair,” she said. “When we had sleepovers when we were younger, I was always the one that did hair.”
She earned her cosmetology license in 1996, and spent the next 10 years working in hair salons in Stephenville and Weatherford. Ferguson enjoyed the work, and especially loved meeting new people and making people feel pretty and good about themselves.
In 2001, Ferguson decided to attend Tarleton where she majored in Human Science Child and Family Services. When she graduated with her bachelors degree in 2006, began her career at Head Start in Stephenville, an organization that helps very young children from lowincome families be ready for school.
She worked there for 5 years, helping children from birth to age three. “It’s not really a preschool, but it’s not a daycare,” she said. “We worked with their physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills, and just all around help the kids learn how to interact with other kids” Ferguson then sensed a need for a daycare in the Lipan community. “I had a lot of people asking, ‘Do you keep kids?’” Ferguson said. “Me and my husband talked about it and I started an in-home daycare.”
Ferguson loved running her daycare, which she had for a few years. After a while, though, she decided she’d rather not be home all the time, and started a job at Early Childhood Intervention Services, a division of the state which provides parenting resources and helps children thatmayhaveadevelopmental delay.
She worked there for three years, then went back to Head Start, this time as the director of the Mineral Wells branch. “Since I started at Head Start, I really wanted to move up and be a leader.”
Four years ago, Ferguson made another career change to work at Lipan ISD, because her granddaughter was starting pre-K and Ferguson wanted to be part of the school system. She currently works as an aide, helping out with band and life skills. She plans to stay in the school system until she retires. “Working with kids is where I’ll always be,” she said.
When she’s not working, Ferguson enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband, Jr Ferguson, live in Lipan, and Jr co-owns Iron Horse Plumbing in Stephenville and Ferguson Jones Dumpsters. The couple met when Ferguson was still working as a hairdresser. “His sister in law came in and set us up,” she said. “He came in to get his haircut, and it was love after that.”
The Fergusons have three children: Lance, 27, Brayden, 25, and Lacee, 24. They also have two grandchildren, Layla, 7 and Indy, 19 months.
Ferguson’s brother and sister, Deanna Turley and Lee Jones, are also a big part of her life. Their parents, Freddie and Linda Jones, have both passed away.
“My parents were a big inspiration in my life,” she said. “They were encouragers; they were there for everything, big supporters for all of us. And I truly believe that’s why I’m the person I am today: because of them.”
Ferguson’s advice to Dublin graduates is to believe in themselves. “Always go for your dreams,” she said. “Don’t give up. College isn’t for everyone, reach for the sky, and you know you can always reach those dreams and goals with family and friend’s support.”
Editor’s Note: This column chronicles what Dublin graduates have done since high school. If you have any suggestions for other grads, email publisher@dublincitizen. com.