<p><strong> Yaneida Gutierrez, Bronx New York – Arrojo Cosmetology School</strong></p>
<p>Yaneida’s earliest memories include her mom cutting her hair, styling her sister’s hair and an imaginary salon she operated as a child entrepreneur. She is inspired by Vidal Sassoon’s quote, “As you work one-on-one with another person, the objective becomes to help that person feel so much better.” The entrepreneurial-minded student believes it is important to “let go of your fears and pursue your dreams.”</p>

 Yaneida Gutierrez, Bronx New York – Arrojo Cosmetology School

Yaneida’s earliest memories include her mom cutting her hair, styling her sister’s hair and an imaginary salon she operated as a child entrepreneur. She is inspired by Vidal Sassoon’s quote, “As you work one-on-one with another person, the objective becomes to help that person feel so much better.” The entrepreneurial-minded student believes it is important to “let go of your fears and pursue your dreams.”

The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation and Wella’s Hairdressers at Heart are honored to announce the winners of the Fall 2017 Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship. Six aspiring hairstylists enrolled in a cosmetology program at an American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) member school will each receive a scholarship covering 50% of their tuition, up to $10,000. The scholarship was established in 2013 and honors the entrepreneurial vision, passion for artistic excellence and lifelong commitment to learning exemplified by the late Vidal Sassoon throughout his career. Scholarships are generously funded by Wella’s Hairdressers at Heart, and administered by the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation.

Since its launch, the Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship has changed the lives of more than 200 aspiring and licensed hairstylists. The program is administered by the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, a 501c3 that seeks to elevate, educate, and empower the next generation of beauty professionals. In addition to “Basic” scholarships that support beauty school students, Wella's Hairdressers at Heart also funds “Advanced” scholarships for licensed hairstylists seeking to elevate their craft.

“Education is the cornerstone of excellence in our industry,” says Sal Mauceri, Senior Vice President North American Coty Professional Beauty and Global OPI. “Wella’s Hairdressers at Heart is pleased to help these six talented hairstylists as they begin this life-changing career in the beauty industry. We’re proud to honor Vidal Sassoon’s inspiring commitment to education and his legacy of innovation through this namesake scholarship.”

“As the first company to partner with the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation on a branded scholarship, Coty has served as an advocate and champion for aspiring and accomplished hairstylists,” says Lynelle Lynch, president of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation.

Scholarship winners are selected by a panel of award-winning hairstylists, platform artists and educators. Applications are evaluated in three core areas: innovation, communication and creativity. While professionalism and technical details are important in scoring, judges focus on each applicant’s passion for the industry and vision for how their career in beauty will change lives.

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