L’ANZA Checks In With Scholarship Winners

In 2021, family-owned and independently operated company L’ANZA Healing Hair Color & Care awarded $23,000 in scholarships to six women pursuing their cosmetology dreams around the country. One year later, L’ANZA caught up with them for a Q&A about their growth and future aspirations in the professional beauty industry.

Grand Prize Winner: Solmarie Sena

L’ANZA: Did you graduate cosmetology school?

Sena: I have not yet graduated; however, I am projected to graduate in October 2022, which is so exciting!

L’ANZA: What have you been doing since you graduated or what are you planning to do?

Sena: When I do graduate, I plan to work in a salon with other artists where I look forward to growing my knowledge, experience, and clientele. Of course, reaching out to L'ANZA to inquire about joining the Healing Artist Network is first on my list!

L’ANZA: What did the L’ANZA Scholarship mean to you?

Sena: This scholarship means so much to me! It provided me with the financial opportunity to continue my cosmetology journey and become the beauty professional I knew I needed to be. Without this help, I would not have been able to afford to do so. It also gifted me with the opportunity to be part of a team with a great mission and provided me with so much education and haircare knowledge.

L’ANZA: Where do you see your career in five years?

Sena: In five years, I hope to be in a position where I can teach others the knowledge I have obtained. I see myself moving into my own salon space, growing my social presence, and giving back to students who may need the help I once did. I hope that one day I can become a part of the L'ANZA team by sharing my story and growing within the network.

Runners Up: Brielle Hopkins and Lily Thao

L’ANZA: What have you been doing since you graduated or what are you planning to do?

Hopkins: I've already started my own business and plan on becoming a L’ANZA Color Specialist.

L’ANZA: What did the L’ANZA Scholarship mean to you?

Hopkins: The L’ANZA Scholarship was so amazing; it doesn't feel real. I was able to pay off student debt and start my own business at a rental salon.

Thao: The L’ANZA Scholarship meant chasing my dreams to me. It gave me the opportunity to start the rest of my life by doing what I love most, my true passion, hair!

L’ANZA: What/who inspires you?

Hopkins: I wanted people to feel as beautiful as I saw them. The person who inspired me the most was my mentor, Cindy Prellwitz, she owns the Northern Style & Co, where I work. She is always going beyond helping others but is also an amazing hair color and makeup specialist.

Thao: My family pushes me to do my best. However, for hair, I have to say that Leah Freeman is a huge inspiration in my life.

L’ANZA: Where do you see your career in five years?

Hopkins: In five years, I would like to continue to own my own business, be more time efficient, have more knowledge and skills, help future stylists grow, and teach updo classes. I cannot wait to see what the future brings!

Thao: I want to educate others how to do hair and have my own salon. I can’t wait to teach others the skills I learn.

Honorable Mentions: Justine Bohall, Destini French, and Leah Forsblom

L’ANZA: What did the L’ANZA Scholarship mean to you?

Bohall: The scholarship meant so much to me, I was working full time while going to school and paying for it all on my own. I got one loan, but I was still making monthly payments of up to $500 for some months. So, the scholarship paid for the last two months of my payments which was awesome because I was getting worried about being able to pay them and if they were not paid then I could not graduate on time!

French: The scholarship expanded my horizons and showed me what other career choices are available for me. It also meant that someone else sees my potential and believes and supports me!

Follow @lanzahaircare and stay tuned for more about the 2023 HAIR C.A.R.E.S. Scholarship opportunity.