Ratner Companies and Beauty Changes Lives have announced the four winners of the spring 2019 Passion and Purpose scholarship. The first salon-branded scholarship in the Beauty Changes Lives portfolio, the Passion and Purpose scholarship, celebrates purposeful careers and the passion of aspiring hairstylists. Each scholarship winner receives a $3,125 tuition scholarship toward cosmetology education.

The spring 2019 winners are:

Briana Duran, @briannaduranbeauty, BJ’s Barber and Beauty College, Bayonne Lake, Washington
As an occupational therapy assistant, Briana knows how a person feels both inside and out affects their perspective on life. In her application video she shared her conviction that beauty professionals help their guests’ feelings as much as their appearance. “Lots of things can be seen, but not everything can be felt. I can’t wait to bring the beauty of each patient and guest out as I connect with them through empathy, listening and hairstyling,” Briana says. 

Noah Hagy, @hagus1229, Tricoci University, Janesville, Wisconsin
A sense of humor and positivity comes through as Noah describes his passion for style in his scholarship video. “Growing up, I always said I wanted to be beautiful, but I couldn’t even match my socks,” he said. His passion for style continued as he joined the military, although he found his version of “floral camo” didn’t meet with his officer’s approval. Noah looks forward to sharing the insights he’s gleaned on staying beautiful with his clients upon finishing beauty school. “Stay beautiful my friends and I’ll be able to help you out some day,” he says.

Acatiana Harris, @fleekedbycati, San Francisco College for Esthetics and Cosmetology, Berkeley California
Even before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Acatiana taught a self-esteem course as a high school student. As a hairstylist, Acatiana aspires to be a therapist for her guests’ hair, scalps and self-esteem. “I love the creative freedom working with hair gives me,” she says. She notes the self-expression involved in hairstyling helps not only herself but also lets her give back to others. In her application video Actiana says, “Beauty is about more than hair. It’s about self-care and can boost the mental health of both hairstylists and their guests.”  

Kristel Thomas, @southernroots_kristel, New Castle OK, Imagine Paul Mitchell, Oklahoma
In her video, Kristel offers three pieces of advice for those aspiring to find their career calling: Find what works. Acknowledge it. Celebrate victory. An aspiring hairstylist with a humanitarian heart, Kristel is an active volunteer, serving organizations that support military men and women. She’s particularly involved in Yellow Ribbon, an organization that supports soldiers transitioning out of the military. Regarding her passion for beauty, Kristel says, “It’s not just about doing what you love, it’s about helping others and my mission is to help as many people as I can.”

Passion and Purpose scholarship applications were evaluated by a judging panel composed of licensed hairstylists and leading influencers in the professional beauty industry.

“Recognizing the role hairstylists’ passion and purpose play in transforming not only guests’ hair but their salons and communities,  Ratner Companies is honored to help support the future of our industry,” Dennis Ratner, co-founder and CEO of Ratner Companies, says. “The Purpose and Passion scholarships help to lighten the financial burden for those who continue a legacy of changing lives through a career in beauty.” 

Beauty Changes Lives Foundation President Lynelle Lynch said the Foundation is honored to have the support of Ratner Companies as it works to equip and empower future hairstylists.

“As Beauty Changes Lives’ first salon partner, we are appreciative for the investment Ratner Companies is making to support the education of next gen hairstylists” Lynch says.

Applications for the fall scholarships are now open until Oct. 31, 2019. There are opportunities available for students as high as $5,000 in barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, makeup, massage therapy and nail technology.