Wella Professionals will host 24 finalists in this year’s Wella Student Competition at America’s Beauty Show (ABS), March 9-11, 2013. With almost 500 entries, the 3rd annual competition marks a record breaking year of entries from a total of 37 cosmetology schools across the nation.

As the finalists prepare for the live competition, Wella’s informative and exciting Education Panel beginning at 10:30 a.m., will offer students and stylists an array of tips to prepare them for life in the salon – and lots of prizes! Wella Education Panelists include: Wella’s Stephen Moody; Bloom.com’s Stacey Faulk; Salon Owner Martino Carter and Team I.C.A.N. members; Brenton Lee; Kathryn Hornick; Katey-Bug Browne; Katie Woods and Krysten Bacaycay.  The panel will be emceed by MODERN SALON’s First Chair Editor Alison Shipley.

The Wella Student Competition will be judged LIVE, on the Wella exhibit stage, from Noon – 2:00 p.m., by a panel of industry glitterati, including Wella Top Stylist Nick Berardi; Team I.C.A.N’s Kathryn Hornick; 2012 International Trend Vision Award Gold Winner and Wella Top Stylist Phillip Ferreira; 2011 North America Trend Vision Award Gold Winner and Wella Top Stylist Shirley Gordon; Wella Global Academy Dean Stephen Moody and Wella Lead Educator Kelly Pennington.

For those unable to attend ABS, the student panel and competition will be webcast live via salonprofessionalinteractive.com, hosted by MODERN SALON Beauty and Fashion Director Maggie Mulhern.

“The student entries came in by mail, by hand, online and with passion,” noted Fabio Sementilli, Wella's creative and technical director. “Wella is passionate about our commitment to supporting stylists throughout every stage of their career. This competition shines the spotlight on student stylists who create beauty and defy convention. We are fostering a community of young, driven and talented stylists: the Next Gen,” added Sementilli.

“Personally, I’m extremely proud of the work these young finalists entered and was honestly impressed by all of the students who entered the competition,” says Sementilli. “The Wella Student Competition continues to empower beauty school students year after year by providing a platform to perfect their craft and advance in the salon industry.”

Wella also believes that behind every great student is a great teacher. To honor cosmetology teachers, any student who competed in the Wella Student Competition could nominate their mentor or instructor for special recognition. The 10 “Instructor of the Year” nominees, the person who encouraged and inspired the student the most throughout his or her journey to becoming an amazing stylist will also be honored at ABS. 

“Throughout our careers there are special folks who truly believe in our ability, they know it is their duty to mentor and guide us to succeed and positively change our lives,” says Sementilli. “For this reason, Wella designed this special award category to recognize the often unsung instructors/mentors in beauty schools and salons throughout North America.”

The Wella Student Competition takes place on Monday, March 11^th at 11:30 a.m., in the Wella Professionals exhibit at America’s Beauty Show, McCormick Place, Chicago.

STUDENT OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

In the Wella Professionals category:

Sara Bain, Regency Beauty Institute
Crystal Carney, Regency Beauty Institute
Ashley Thom, Bellus Academy – Poway
Jasper Struthers, Bellus Academy – Manhattan Kansas
Alicia Harley, Marinello School of Beauty
Claudia Lerma, Metro Beauty Academy
Heather Youse, Metro Beauty Academy
Myles Diaz II, Avalon School of Cosmetology

In the Clairol Professional category:

Andre Richardson, Southeastern Beauty Schools
Morgan Jones, Avalon School of Cosmetology
Marlela A. Olivia, Avalon School of Cosmetology
Hilaria Estrada, Avalon School of Cosmetology
Carmen Sandora, Avalon School of Cosmetology
Daniela Navarrete, Avalon School of Cosmetology
Kristen Lowery, Capri Beauty College
Amanda Scott, Avalon School of Cosmetology

In the Sebastian Professional category:

Mayderum Michell, Regency Beauty Institute
Mackenzie Secrist, Avalon School of Cosmetology
Domina Newsome, Avalon School of Cosmetology
Dyana Balderrama, Beau Monde Academy of Cosmetology
Shirley Mills, Marinello School of Beauty
Michelle Ross, Regency Beauty Institute
Sabrina Vann, Bellus Academy – Poway
Cameron Clochie, Regency Beauty Institute

INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Tommy Wozniak, Avalon School of Cosmetology
Bryden Mugleston, Bellus Academy
Justyna Hebbert, Bellus Academy
Rachel Toman, Metro Beauty Academy
Andee Holmes, Marinello School of Beauty
Cristina Woodson, Marinello School of Beauty
Shanell Blackshear, Marienello School of Beauty
Casey Ramos, Marinello School of Beauty