And the Winners of the 2015 Wella Student Competition Are…

The results are in! The winners of the 2015 Wella Student Competition have been announced. This year’s competition was especially fierce, with 186 students competing from 79 schools across the nation. In the end, 12 talented cosmetology students finalists were chosen to compete LIVE on stage at America’s Beauty Show in Chicago, in either the Wella Professionals or Sebastian Professional categories, where they were judged by a distinguished industry panel made up of Wella Top Artists Anthony Cole, Michael Haase and Diane Stevens, as well as John Gialluisi of Mario Tricoci Salons & Spas. 

“At Wella, we truly believe in the next generation and we know it’s very important that we do everything we can to mentor students, and to give them an outlet to compete,” notes Carole Protat, Wella Creative Director North America. “The Wella Student Competition continues to empower beauty school students year after year. We are committed to providing a platform for students to perfect their craft and advance in our industry.”

And now, on to the winners!

Taking first place in the Sebastian Professional category is Samantha Peters of Bellus Academy in Poway, CA. Viridiana Cervantes from Beau Monde Academy in Portland, OR walked away with a second place win.  “This feeling is incredible,” notes Samantha. “To be among all of these amazing stylists, instructors, talents and mentors pushes me to push my career.”

Taking first place in the Wella Professionals category is Valeria Lopez of Century College Inc. in San Juan, PR. Elizaveta Solovyeva of Bellus Academy in El Cajon, CA snagged a second place win. “The most valuable part of this competition for me was the experience,” says Valeria. “Seeing my finished work, and the finished work of my fellow students was incredible for me.”

The top winners in each category were awarded a $1,000 cash prize, product prizes, a Voucher for training at a Wella Studio, Premium Bloom membership and a Candy Shaw Educational DVD.

But students weren’t the only ones being awarded. Wella firmly believes that behind every great student is a great teacher. Therefore, to honor cosmetology teachers, every student who competed in the 2015 Wella Student Competition could nominate their mentor or instructor for special recognition. The “Instructor of the Year” is someone who encourages and inspired students throughout their journey to become amazing stylist. After tallying up the votes, Lee Carter from the Regency Beauty Institute in Mishawaka, IN was named the 2015 Wella Instructor of the Year. “I am so happy to be here, and to build confidence in my students so they can reach their full potential,” said Lee.