Pat Bailey and Treyonda Towns got to play in the big leagues at March’s Midwest Beauty Show. Nail students at Chicago’s Truman College Nail Technology Program, Bailey and Towns competed head to head with industry professionals in the sculptured nail competition thanks to the sponsorship of some generous supporters. “I was a student at one time and I didn’t have the finances to enter. Now that I’m a salon owner want to give someone else that opportunity,” says Joy Lucas, owner of Salon Complete in Evanston. III., and Bailey’s sponsor Towns was sponsored by Chicago industry group the Nail Care Association. The sponsors covered the students’ entry fees and even arranged a private consultation for each with nail instructor April Buford prior to the big day. Neither Bailey nor Towns was bothered a bit that she didn’t win. They did their sponsors proud and plan to enter more competitions in the future.

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