L’Oréal Professionnel Awards $15,000 to Current and Future Cosmetology Students

 

L’Oréal Professionnel, a leader in innovative hair care and haircolor products tested and approved by the biggest names in hairdressing, has partnered with Beauty Changes Lives to award three scholarships for students accepted or currently enrolled in a cosmetology program.  Each recipient receives a $5,000 tuition award toward their education. 

L’Oréal Professionnel believes that education is the most powerful tool to grow, inspire and develop hair artists of tomorrow. The first scholarship is granted to an eligible student accepted to an Elevate Salon Institution recognized by L’Oréal Professionnel with excellence in education. The “Inspiration Through Education” $5,000 scholarship is presented to a cosmetology student who conveys the importance of education now and throughout their future career.  The “Empowering Diversity” Scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Sheena Coleman, a much-loved member of the L’Oréal Professionnel Education Team who sadly passed away in 2020. The $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a student who identifies as a person of color and demonstrates a commitment to justice, equity, and diversity. 


In addition, each winner is eligible to be included into a mentoring / coaching program designed for cosmetology students during their time in school and for 1 year POST Graduation.

L’Oreal Professionnel Inspiration Through Education  $5,000 Cosmetology Student Scholarship

Mia “Solstice” Waltemate @solstice_sparkles

Paul Mitchell the School – St. Louis, MO

Mia Waltemate, aka Solstice, is extremely passionate about education and says it is essential to being a successful cosmetologist. Her ultimate dream is to own her own salon where she can create an environment where guests feel welcome to relax and let stylists take care of them.  One of her biggest fears when she started the program was short hair styles.  She dreaded it!  The consistent direction and the tips and tricks to provide movement in the hair, it has now become one of her signature techniques. One of her biggest inspirations is Joshua Spengler who she says that anytime she is lucky enough to partner with him, she learns so much information that they don’t teach in the regular textbooks.  They were lucky enough to sit in on a class taught by Robert and Mary Cromeans and she saw that Joshua’s journal was filled from notes from their instruction. It showed her that even successful stylists can continue to learn and improve their craft.  Education is the foundation for everything, she has so much still to learn, and she will continue to find inspiration through education along her career journey.  You can check out her winning video submission HERE.

L’Oreal Professionnel Empowering Diversity  $5,000 Cosmetology Student Scholarship

N’Dia Gruning  @thats_dia

Paul Mitchell the School – Dallas, TX

N’Dia decided to take a gap year after high school as she felt confused on what she wanted to focus on for her future.  She originally was interested in becoming a registered nurse because it seemed like a safe route to take.  During that year off, she focused instead on what was expected and what she would love to devote her career and what would provide her the most happiness.  Since she was young, she loved doing her nails.  Her passion that started as a hobby became the catalyst for her dreams for her future dream job.  Even though she loved nail art, she also wanted to gain as much knowledge as possible so she could to excel within the beauty industry.  She decided to jump in and enrolled in a cosmetology program, so she could learn all about hair, skin, and nails.  Paul Mitchell the school in Dallas was the one school she felt had the diverse curriculum she was interested in, including education on black and textured hair, so she could learn how to handle any client regardless of hair type. She contributes her decision on the support of her boyfriend.  He gave her the confidence and gave her the push she needed to finally enroll. He showed N’Dia that she needs to bet on herself to win.  N’Dia’s ultimate goal is to break beauty standards and show others that they too can have their dream with hard work and effort! You can check out her winning video submission HERE.

L’Oreal Professionnel Elevate Salon Institute (ESI)  $5,000 Cosmetology Student Scholarship

Gabriel Bernal   @Antoni.hair

Elevate Salon Institute  – Miami Beach. FL

“Gabe is an amazing stylist, he is brilliant at what he does,” beamed Erika Welch, one of his instructors at the Elevate Salon Institute in Miami Beach, Florida. He attributes watching America’s Next Top Model on TV and seeing the behind the scenes of the editorial shoots and all the hair and makeup artists involved started his obsession to be a part of the beauty industry. He loves making people feel good about themselves and he finds happiness in making them their best self.  His most notable client just recently had a brain tumor removed and he has been working with her to make sure she continues to look awesome every time she comes in as her hair grows out.  Her happiness makes his day. Making people beautiful and bring out their best self is the main reason he decided beauty as his career choice. You can check out his winning video submission HERE.