Beauty Changes Lives Foundation Announces Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Winners

Ten aspiring hairstylists as well as 10 licensed beauty professionals have been awarded the Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship by the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, continuing a commitment by Wella, the salon professional division of P&G, to fund 200 scholarships between 2013 and 2017. The $1.5 million scholarship grant established by Wella's Hairdressers at HeartTM program and administered by the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, honors the legacy of the late Vidal Sassoon and his belief in continual learning throughout the professional hairstylist's career.

The basic scholarships are awarded to individuals seeking a career in hairstyling and cover 50 percent of tuition at a qualified cosmetology school, up to $10,000. The advanced scholarships, awarded to licensed hairstylists, cover a five-day course at one of the North America-based Sassoon Academies, plus travel and accommodations up to $5,000 USD.

Two scholarship competitions are held annually and winners are selected by a panel of beauty and wellness professionals. Each applicant is required to submit a video or essay that addresses how he or she will change lives through the art of hairstyling. "Vidal elevated the perception of hairdressing as a career, while his commitment to creativity, craftsmanship and professional drive challenged those in the industry to continually learn and enhance their craft," said Reuben Carranza, CEO of Wella North America. "The scholarship applications submitted in this competition shared many inspiring testimonies of how Vidal's work continues to inspire individuals a half-century after he revolutionized the industry."

Lynelle Lynch, president of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation said the scholarship program is allowing individuals to change their lives and the lives of those they serve. "Every day in beauty schools around the nation, we hear students talk about their career dreams and how they will help others look and feel their best," Lynch said. "Changing lives through beauty is what this scholarship is all about."

Basic winners of the Fall 2013 Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Program and the schools they will be attending are as follows: Gabrielle Cusmir, Everett, WA, Northwest Hair Academy; Nina Edmisten, Boone, NC, Paul Mitchell the School; Danielle Feica, Bronx, NY, ARROJO Cosmetology School; Ashley Good, Tyrone, PA, ARROJO Cosmetology School; Anthony Johnson, Evanston, IL, Pivot Point Academy; Kelsey Knutson, Puyallup, WA, Salon Professional Academy; Tia Marosy, Brooklyn, NY, Aveda Institute New York; Vickie Price, Mount Vernon, WA, Northwest Hair Academy; Larissa Rodney, Brooklyn, NY, ARROJO Cosmetology School; and Autumn White, Victorville, CA, Marinello School of Beauty.

Advanced winners of the Fall 2013 Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Program and their salons are as follows: Katy Clements, Honolulu, HI, Hoala Salon and Spa; Leonor DelCastillo, Jersey City, NJ, Allesandro Mangerini Salon; Olivia Herrera, Uniondale, NY, Safie Salon and Day Spa; Le Lu, Palo Alto, CA, Hamilton House Salon; Mashalimar Mariano, Phoenix, AZ, Atmosphere Salon; Alison Mermel, Seattle, WA, Idol Style Studio; J. Audrey Nelson, Denver, CO, J. Audrey Hair Studio; Natalie Schulz, Harrisburg, OR, London Hair Studio - River Valley Center; Lily Shevchenko, San Diego, CA, Rx Hair; and Eric Wright, Phoenix, AZ, Mane Attraction Salon.

The Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Program is a five-year educational partnership between Wella's Hairdressers at HeartTM program (www.hairdressersatheart.com) and the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. The application window for Spring 2014 Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship submissions begins January 28, 2014 and runs through April 1, 2014. Additional information on scholarship opportunities, including application rules and deadlines, is available at www.beautychangeslives.org/scholarships.

About the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation: The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) created by the American Association of Cosmetology Schools to build awareness of the extraordinary career opportunities available in the beauty and wellness industry and massage therapy. The Foundation also organizes and participates in numerous philanthropic fundraisers that shine the spotlight on the charitable initiatives of the beauty and wellness community.

About Wella, the Salon Professional Division of P&G: Wella's products help make beauty dreams real every day for millions of stylists and consumers worldwide. Wella brands are distributed in more than 180,000 salons across the globe, and include Wella Professionals Care and Styling as well as Koleston Perfect, Illumina Color, Color Touch and Blondor by Wella Professionals; Sebastian Professional; Clairol Professional and Nioxin. The Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship grant is part of Wella's "Hairdressers at Heart," an industry-wide program that supports stylists at each stage of their career with scholarships, through artistic competition, and with assisted child care and salon grants for community service.

About Sassoon Academy: Sassoon Academy offers its celebrated, industry-leading philosophy and courses worldwide through its renowned Academies, and instructional DVDs and books. All classes are developed and designed to be contemporary, relevant and forward thinking and are delivered with passion, commitment and technical excellence. The aim is to share the knowledge that is gained in the development of our craft and ensure that our students gain real commercial skills from our courses, as well as take away a piece of the culture that created Sassoon. To learn more about Sassoon Academy, visit www.sassoon.com or follow us on Facebook:facebook.com/SassoonAcademy, Twitter: twitter.com/SassoonAcademy and Instagram: @sassoonacademyofficial.