Ten aspiring beauty industry professionals will receive “tuition at their fingertips” financial awards up to $5,000 to cover tuition for nail tech programs. The 10 scholarship winners were selected in a formal application process that included submission of a digital video, essay, and an inspiration board expressing their hopes and desires for careers in the professional nail care industry.

Winners and their respective scholarship schools are as follows:

Andrea Bright, Brown Aveda Institute, Mentor, Ohio

Brittany Davis, Charleston Cosmetology, Charleston, S.C.

Myeshia Jefferson, Northern California Institute of Cosmetology, San Leandro, Calif.

Caitlyn Leatham, Cameo College, Salt Lake City

Yavonne Lewis, International Salon and Spa Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Robin “Christine” Lewis, Glen Dow Academy, Spokane, Wash.

Shantelle McBride, The Salon Professional Academy, Colorado Springs, Clo.

Jacqueline McNeice, Rudy and Kelly Academy, Virginia Beach, Va.

Margherita Tedesco, Casal Aveda Institute, Youngstown, Ohio

Angela Thorson, International Salon and Spa Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.

The BCL|CND|Tippi Hedren Nail Scholarship program honoring actress and humanitarian Tippi Hedren is funded by professional nail care company Creative Nail Design (CND) and their partner donors. The scholarships also reflect the evolution of the nail industry. CND Co-Founder Jan Arnold emphasized that interest in nail design has accelerated due to advances in technology and social media, and also noted that nail art is among the top five most tagged items on Instagram and Pinterest. “The development of CND SHELLAC brand 14+ day nail color revolutionized the industry, and the impact of social media cannot be overstated,” Arnold said.

Beauty Changes Lives Foundation President Lynelle Lynch said the foundation’s nail scholarships have enjoyed strong support from professional nail industry media, manufacturers, and celebrity nail designers. “We’ve recently been honored to engage nail artist Fleury Rose as a Beauty Changes Lives mentor, judge and ambassador for our scholarships and mentorships,” Lynch said. “The generous support of the professional nail industry has been overwhelming.”

Information on Beauty Changes Lives scholarship programs, including the next BCL|CND|Tippi Hedren Scholarship program opening January 12, 2015, is available here.

For more information about your career in nails, check outNAILS Career Handbook.

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