The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation (BCL)has awarded four BCL mentorships to aspiring hairstylists. The BCL Mentorship Program is open to students enrolled at an American Association of Cosmetology Schools member school and pairs a highly respected professional mentor with each student for a unique learning experience.

The 2015 BCL Mentorship Program winners and their respective schools are as follows:

Delvina Jeffries, Kenneth Schuler Schools of Cosmetology, Columbia, SC. Delvina is a former member of the armed forces and aspires to work behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week. “It’s a scary dream, but if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough,” Delvina stated in her application video. Delvina’s mentor is Sherri Jessee, global creative adviser for Pravana, recipient of the “Createur De Mode” award and 2013 NAHA Editorial Stylist of the Year. “This professional mentoring experience gives me a roadmap and a chance to learn from the experiences and insight of someone who has succeeded in the beauty business,” said Delvina.

Jamie Bailey, Bellus Academy, National City, CA. Although still in beauty school, Jamie aspires to own a salon and work as an instructor. A wife, mother and beauty school student, Jamie’s video application described mentors as superheroes with the power to motivate and inspire others. "I feel honored and blessed to have Bellus as a platform for such inspiring opportunities,” she said upon receiving notice of her mentoring experience. Jamie’s mentorship pairs her with internationally renowned hairstylists and CoCre8 founders John Simpson and Christopher Dove.    

Samantha Dossing, Cosmetology & Spa Academy. Crystal Lake, IL. Samantha graduated high school early, enrolling in cosmetology school at 17 and winning her first student competition her first week in the classroom. “I’m dedicated, passionate, and I set big goals,” Samantha said in her application video.  “I want to learn how my mentor worked toward success, but the opportunity to learn what he would have done differently is priceless,” said Samantha.  Her mentor is Theodore Leaf, who served as a top hairstylist at Sally Hershberger Salon, before founding a YouTube channel featuring tutorials exceeding one million views and regularly appearing on programs including NBC’s “Fashion Star”, E!’s “Fashion Police” and Style Network’s “How  Do I Look?”

Belinda Crooks, Carousel Beauty Colleges, Springfield, OH. Belinda believes in the power of professional mentoring. “My (cosmetology) teacher Lisa Nettleingham has been my classroom mentor and she encouraged me to apply for a BCL mentorship. When I hesitated, she just said, ‘I hope you are good under pressure, because you are doing this!’ Belinda’s mentor is world-renowned master stylist Nick Berardi. Nick has served as Sassoon Academy Senior Creative Director, a successful salon owner and a Wella International top stylist.

Beauty Changes Lives Foundation President Lynelle Lynch said the competition provides an opportunity for students to make valuable connections and learn from elite names in the industry while they are still in cosmetology school. “The generosity of professional mentors and the passion they have for paying their success forward to support next generation talent is truly inspiring,” Lynch said. Previous BCL mentors include Jan Arnold, Dr. Howard Murad, Vivienne Mackinder, Lydia Sarafati, Johnny Wright, Ted Gibson and Diana Schmidtke.

About Beauty Changes Lives: The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation is a 501(c)(3) created by the American Association of Cosmetology Schools to build awareness of the extraordinary career opportunities available in the beauty and wellness industry and massage therapy. The Foundation also organizes and participates in numerous philanthropic fundraisers that shine the spotlight on the charitable initiatives of the beauty and wellness community.

More information is available at www.beautychangeslives.org.