Beauty Changes Lives Foundation Announces Scholarship Recipients

In November, the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation awarded 20 hairstylists with the Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship, funded by Wella Professionals. The $1.5 million scholarship grant, which was established by Wella Professionals’ Hairdressers at Heart program, honors Vidal Sassoon’s legacy by allowing stylists to continue learning throughout their professional careers. Basic scholarships, for beginners, are intended to cover half of cosmetology school tuition feeds for those seeking a career in hairstyling; and advanced scholarships, for licensed stylists, cover travel expenses and a five-day course for licensed hairstylists at a Sassoon Academy. Scholarships were awarded to winners of two annual competitions, one for each category, where contestants submitted videos or essays describing how they hope to change lives by doing what they love.

Lynelle Lynch, president of Beauty Changes Lives, said the scholarship program is designed to help individuals change their own lives along with the lives of their clients. “Every day in beauty schools around the nation, we hear students talk about their career dreams and how they will help others look and feel their best,” Lynch said. “Changing lives through beauty is what this scholarship is all about.”

The winners of the basic Fall 2013 Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Program, along with the schools they will be attending, include Gabrielle Cusmir, Everett, WA, Northwest Hair Academy; Nina Edmisten, Boone, NC, Paul Mitchell the School; Danielle Feica, Bronx, NY, Arrojo Cosmetology School; Ashley Good, Tyrone, PA, Arrojo Cosmetology School; Anthony Johnson, Evanston, IL, Pivot Point Academy; Kelsey Knutson, Puyallup, WA, Salon Professional Academy; Tia Marosy, Brooklyn, NY, Aveda Institute New York; Vickie Price, Mount Vernon, WA, Northwest Hair Academy; Larissa Rodney, Brooklyn, NY, Arrojo Cosmetology School; and Autumn White, Victorville, CA, Marinello School of Beauty.

The winners of the advanced Fall 2013 Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Program (seen here), along with the schools they will be attending, include Katy Clements, Honolulu, Hoala Salon and Spa; Leonor DelCastillo, Jersey City, NJ, Allesandro Mangerini Salon; Olivia Herrera, Uniondale, NY, Safie Salon and Day Spa;  Le Lu, Palo Alto, CA, Edge Hair Salon; Mashalimar Mariano, Phoenix, Atmosphere Salon; Alison Mermel, Seattle, Idol Style Studio; J. Audrey Nelson, Denver, J. Audrey Hair Studio; Natalie Schulz, Harrisburg, OR, London Hair Studio – River Valley Center; Lily Shevchenko, San Diego, Rx Hair; and Eric Wright, Phoenix, Mane Attraction Salon. —S.Z.