The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, through funding from Wella’s Hairdressers at Heart, has announced the winners of its fourth class of Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Programs awards, honoring beauty visionary and entrepreneur Vidal Sassoon. Since its launch in 2013, the program has awarded more than a half-million dollars to 80 aspiring and licensed hairstylists as part of its $1.5M scholarship commitment through 2017.  

In the Fall 2014 competition, 10 beauty school students were awarded “Basic” scholarships funding 50 percent of tuition (up to $10,000) at qualified cosmetology schools, and 10 licensed hairstylists received “Advanced” scholarships covering a five-day course at a Sassoon Academy in North America, including travel, lodging and course fees (up to $5,000).

Basic scholarship winners are as follows: Elissa Alferez of Cinta Aveda Institute, CA; Sarah Cooper of The Salon Professional Academy, TX; Melanie DeMass of Douglas J Aveda Institute, MI; Amanda Duffy of Arrojo Cosmetology, NY; Dina Furr of Aveda Institute – Charlotte, NC; VonShay Green of Paul Mitchell the School – Huntsville, AL; Erica Jones of Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty and Wellness, PA; Caroline Kessler of Arrojo Cosmetology, NY; Alexandra Van Bebber of Penrose Academy, AZ; and Julia Wiedeman of Arrojo Cosmetology, NY.

Advanced winners are as follows:  Katrina Beede, Owner/Stylist at Face it!, OR; Olivia Chafe, Stylist at The Head Room Salon and Spa, Newfoundland, CA; Crystal Kemp, Cosmetology Instructor at Aveda Institute – Atlanta, GA; Arianna Marino, Independent Stylist, CA; Brittney Newman, Stylist at Chastain’s Salon, FL; Sally Noblett, Creative Director at Joseph Michael’s Salon and Spa, IL; Kevin Ponce, Junior Stylist at Ian McCabe Studio, VA; Lindsey Washbourne, Cosmetology Instructor at Bellus Academy, CA; Patrick Wentworth, Owner/Stylist at George Eliot Salon, UT; and Amanda Zulgis, Designer Stylist at JCPenney Salon, CA.

New elements to the 2014 scholarship competition included a partnership with social beauty network Bloom.com, an online public voting element, and an opportunity for “Advanced” scholarship applicants to have their work showcased in Wella’s 2015 Lookbook.  These enhancements bolstered submissions in both the Basic and Advanced competitions.

“The beauty community has been overwhelmingly supportive of Wella’s commitment to beauty and wellness education. The Bloom.com partnership provided a new level of visibility for entrants to showcase their submissions and the Wella Lookbook opportunity helps licensed professionals build awareness for their creative talents,” said Beauty Changes Lives Foundation President, Lynelle Lynch.

As in past competitions, the majority of each applicant’s score was determined by an industry panel of judges representing some of the most renowned names in hairstyling. “The judging panel determined 75 percent of each applicant’s score and served as the authoritative voice in determining scholarship winners,” Lynch said. “The online voting element adds an opportunity for the public to participate in the competition and secure an even broader level of engagement,” she added.

While the 2014 competition introduced some new enhancements, Wella North America CEO, Sal Mauceri said the competition remains true to its original purpose – paying forward the legacy of Vidal Sassoon. “Vidal Sassoon redefined what it means to be a hairstylist, blending elements of art, architecture and fashion with an entrepreneurial mindset that made him one of the most successful fashion and beauty brands in history,” said Mauceri. “Throughout his career journey, Vidal emphasized the value of education and pushing one’s boundaries and Wella’s Hairdressers at Heart is humbled to pay forward his legacy.”

For more information on the Basic and Advanced scholarships and to view entry videos submitted by previous winners, please visit: www.beautychangeslives.org and www.hairdressersatheart.com.