Molly Leahy, a soon to be Hamline University graduate with a degree in Theatre Arts, is the winner of the $20,000 Taj Modé Scholarship to the Aveda Institute Minneapolis. Taj Salon & Spa owners Tasia Ashton, Andria Strandin and Jeanne Strandin announced Leahy as the winner at the Taj Modé 2012 event; the salon’s Facebook fans voted her as the winner from a shortlist of three semi-finalist scholarship applicants narrowed down by the Taj owners.
Leahy applied for the Taj Modé scholarship to further her knowledge about hair, makeup and prosthetics work in the performing arts industry. As a student at Hamline University, she has worked on multiple theatre productions and worked as a work-study employee in the school’s Hair and Makeup Department. In addition to her school work, Leahy was involved in costume and wig preparation at the Park Square Theatre in downtown St. Paul. Qualities that attracted the Taj owners to Leahy include her clear sense of what she wants to do with her talent, her strong dedication to her craft, and how thorough, considerate and open-minded she is as an individual.
With locations in Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis, Taj Salon & Spa is the first salon to offer a full scholarship to the Aveda Institute Minneapolis. A number of Taj Salon & Spa stylists are graduates of the Aveda Institute and the owners wanted to dramatically change the life of someone who might not otherwise be able to afford the caliber of education the Aveda Institute offers.
Watch Molly Leahy talk about why she should get the Taj Modé Scholarship to the Aveda Institute Minneapolis:
Related: Meet the 2012 Spread the Love Winners | Schools and Classes | Internal Dialogue | Wella Professionals North American Trend Vision Finalist Images | ICA Spring Symposium 2012: Fashion Frenzy Competition | I.C.O.N. Kicks off LA 2 Day Seminar | P&G Salon Professional Makes Scholarship Donation to Beauty Changes Lives
