The Beauty Changes Lives (BCL) Foundation named the first set of awardees of the Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Program at the Spring Operations Conference of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), BCL’s parent body.

The program is funded by a $1.5 million grant established by Wella, the Salon Division of P&G, to award scholarships to beginning cosmetologists and working hairdressers seeking advanced training. For this first round, 10 basic students receive 50 percent of tuition costs, while 10 licensed hairdressers are granted $5,000 toward coursework at the Sassoon Academies.

“In today’s educational environment, it is the rare scholarship that covers 50 percent of tuition,” said Lynelle Lynch, president of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation board. “Through the gift of education, Wella and Beauty Changes Lives are collaborating to help individuals achieve their professional goals, whether they’re just starting out on their career path or striving to reach the industry’s highest echelons,” Lynch added.

Beginning in January, 786 applicants sought scholarships through the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. Applicants submitted essays and video statements explaining how they intend to carry on the late Vidal Sassoon’s commitment to creativity, craftsmanship, professional drive and love of learning in their own careers. May 9 is the one-year anniversary of the beauty icon’s death.

“Vidal was a visionary who made the art and craft of hair design integral to the beauty and fashion industry,” said Reuben Carranza, CEO of Wella North America. “Our foundation grant and this scholarship program allow his passion and creativity to live on by educating future high-achieving professionals.”

MODERN's Alison Shipley was proud to serve on the panel of judges alongside Elan Sassoon, founder of Sojourn and Vidal's son; Wella Global Education Dean Stephen Moody; Sassoon International Creative Director Mark Hayes; HairdesignerTV.com founder Vivienne Mackinder; Educator of the Year award recipient (Australia) Tracey Hughes; and Mane Attraction salon owner Kendall Ong.    

Following are the recipients of the first round of Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarships. Details on their future plans and excerpts from the winning applications will be found at www.beautychangeslives.org.

Basic scholarship winners and the schools they will be attending are: Racheal Cooper, Lake Stevens, WA, Northwest Hair Academy; Kiera Doyle, New York, NY, Arrojo Cosmetology
School; Shie Eck, Pratt, KS, Eric Fisher Academy; Sabrina Gonzalez, Chula Vista, CA, Bellus Academy; Valorie Gubler, Orem, UT,  Marinello School of Beauty; Christopher Jordan, Tuckahoe, NY, Arrojo Cosmetology School; Jessica Karle, Brooklyn, NY, Arrojo Cosmetology School; Ariel Lebron, Madison, WI, Regency Beauty Institute; Robert Miller, Austin, TX, Avenue Five; and Patricia Seraphin, New York, NY, Hair Design Institute of Fifth Avenue.

Advanced education winners and their salons are as follows: Kristina Banks, San Francisco, CA, PREP Salon; Susan Ford, Streamwood, IL, Asha Salon Spa; Stephen Gunn, Cincinnati, OH, Salon Beck; Howie Held, Boca Raton, FL, Salon Cielo; Emmy Jewel, Saugus, CA, freelance hairstylist; Joy LaMay, Studio City, CA, Fringe,  a NOHO Hair Studio; Anna Latorre, St. Clair Shores, MI, Pigalle Salon and Med Spa; Sherry Moore, St. Charles, MO, Regency Beauty Institute; Stephanie Ramirez, Chino Hills, CA, Salon Eleven; and Jana Werge, Kissimmee, FL, Envy Salon.

The Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Program is a five-year effort. The second wave of scholarship competition begins August 5, 2013 with an Oct. 11, 2013 deadline. More information is available at www.beautychangeslives.org/scholarships.