The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation announced the winners of the inaugural Enrolled Student Scholarship Competition during the Cosmetology Educators of America Convention, July 27-30. Four beauty school students enrolled in American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) member schools were awarded a day of mentoring with an industry icon.
2012 Beauty Changes Lives Enrolled Student Scholarship Competition winners are as follows:
Natalie DiBenedetto, a student at Brown Aveda Institute in Rocky River, OH, is one of two cosmetology students awarded a hair mentoring experience. Natalie will enjoy the privilege of job shadowing celebrity hair stylist, salon owner, and television personality Ted Gibson. A passion for hair is nothing new to Natalie who remembers breaking out the kids’ scissors to “style” her sister’s Barbie hair as a preschooler.
Leonor Del Castillo, a student at New York City’s Arrojo Cosmetology School, also was awarded a hair mentoring experience. Leonor will enjoy a day of job shadowing with Diana Schmidtke, a celebrity hairstylist who specializes in men’s grooming and whose clients include several of Hollywood’s leading men. Leonor says a hairdresser’s responsibility is to bring out each client’s beauty.
Cheyanne Birchall, an aspiring nail technician enrolled at Marinello Schools of Beauty in Reno, NV, will win a day of mentoring with Jan Arnold, CND co-founder and style director.
Judith Torres, an esthetics student enrolled at Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers in Newburgh, NY, won a mentorship with renowned dermatologist and published skincare author Dr. Howard Murad. Inspired by the restorative sense of renewal that spas impart on their clients, Judith aspires to one day own a wellness center that integrates esthetics and reflexology.
Nearly 100 video applications and essays were submitted to the mentorship competition which launched in June 2012. Videos were posted online for public viewing and comments, with the top five videos receiving more than 10,000 votes. A judging panel comprised of five beauty and fashion professionals narrowed the list of qualified submissions. Finalists were evaluated based on their answers to how beauty changes lives and how they plan to change others’ lives through a career in beauty; as well as their submission’s grammar, presentation, and creativity. “We were overwhelmed by the generosity of mentors who wanted to pay forward their success and help the next generation of beauty professionals,” says Lynelle Lynch, president of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. More information is available at www.beautychangeslives.org.