Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Winners Announced

Image courtesy of 5 meta com

Through the generosity of Wella’s Hairdressers at Heart philanthropic initiative, the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation is awarding twenty Fall 2016 Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education scholarships. The scholarship honors the legacy of hairstyling icon Vidal Sassoon, and is designed to advance the careers of 20 students and licensed beauty professionals.

Ten beauty school students from across the United States were selected to receive “Basic” scholarships that cover 50 percent of cosmetology school tuition up to $10,000. Additionally, 10 licensed hairstylists will expand their skills through the gift of an “Advanced” scholarship that includes continuing education at a North American Sassoon Academy, including travel and course fees up to $5,000.

Image courtesy of 5 meta com

“We are incredibly honored that Wella is demonstrating its support of lifelong learning by generously supporting Next Gen professionals with the gift of education,” said Lynelle Lynch, president of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. “The Basic and Advanced scholarships reflect the importance of education across a hairstylists career journey – something that Vidal Sassoon modeled throughout his career.”

Since the Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship launched in 2013, 180 scholarships have been awarded to aspiring and licensed hairstylists. Generously funded by Wella and its Hairdressers at Heart initiative, the program is administered by the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, a 501c3 that seeks to elevate, educate and empower the next generation of beauty professionals.

Sal Mauceri, Senior Vice President of North America Professional Beauty and Global Nail at Coty Beauty said the selected student and professional winners embody the passion, creativity and drive that sets the very best hairdressers apart. “Wella and Hairdressers at Heart know the power of education, and we are proud to help these 20 outstanding individuals move forward in their career journey,” said Mauceri. “Education is changing lives and encouraging students and professionals to reach their highest potential.”

Scholarship winners are selected by a panel of award-winning hairstylists, platform artists and educators. Each applicant is assigned a composite score that incorporates applicants’ essays, inspiration boards and online videos. While professionalism and technical details are important in scoring, judges focus on each applicant’s passion for the industry and vision for how their career in beauty will change lives.

Fall 2016 winners of the “Basic” Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Program and their respective schools include:

  • Katybeth Clarke: Shears Cosmetology School; Carlisle, PA
  • Heather Ferrante: Blake Austin College Beauty Academy; Vacaville, CA
  • Amanda Flanagan: Penrose Academy; Scottsdale, AZ
  • Kamilah Gerestant: Hair Design Institute; Brooklyn, NY
  • Cameron Kepford: La’James International College; Davenport, IA
  • Roniann Mears: Arrojo Cosmetology School; New York, NY
  • Brittany Pearce: Paul Mitchell The School – Jacksonville; Jacksonville, FL
  • Emily Peterson: Montana Academy of Salons; Great Falls, MT
  • Nadezhda Shuparskay: Gene Juarez Academy, South Campus; Seattle, WA
  • Sarah Tupper: Arrojo Cosmetology School; New York, NY

Fall 2016 winners of the “Advanced” Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Program and their employers include:

  • Christopher Blackmer: Razzle Dazzle College of Hair Design; Caldwell, ID
  • Bridget Clancy: Sassoon Academy, Santa Monica; Portland, OR
  • Kelsie Daily: Paul Mitchell The School, Temecula; Menifee, CA
  • Adrian de la Parra: Bellus Academy; San Diego, CA
  • Elizabeth De Luz: Crave Beauty School; Austin, TX
  • Evan Erickson: Taylor Andrews; Dallas, TX
  • Karina Gonzalez: Empire Beauty School; Harrisburg, PA
  • Vilsen Restrepo: Mariela Beauty School; Paterson, NJ
  • Kaya Ruffino: Aveda Institute (Dallas); Cedar Hill, TX
  • Kimberly Sousa: Paul Mitchell the School – Rhode Island; Swansea, MA

A sampling of winners’ inspiration boards and videos is available at http://beautychangeslives.org/scholarships/.  

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