Waiariki Student Takes Out Hairdressing Award

For immediate release Wednesday, 10 August 2005

Waiariki Student Takes Out Hairdressing Award

When Ann-Maree Lucinsky started practicing a week before the Bay of Plenty Fashion Hair Design Awards she didn't think she'd be winning the Pre-Apprentice Styling section. But she did.

The Waiariki Institute of Technology hairdressing is in the final year of her two year qualification in Rotorua and won the event held in Mt Maunganui last weekend with an off-centred Mohawk design.

"I'm so proud of Ann-Maree and the three other students who entered the competition. They only decided to enter a couple of weeks ago and to be able to create beautiful hairstyles and put themselves under the scrutiny of the judges is a really courageous thing to do," says Jacquie Horgan, Waiariki hairdressing tutor and also convenor of the competition.

The pre-apprentice styling section is open to polytechnic and other students and those new to working in a salon but not yet on a training programme. There are a number of other categories, including the Men's Haircutting section, which Waiariki hairdressing tutor, Donna Dawson entered.

Three other Waiariki students also competed and their efforts were acknowledged by the judges who said everyone who competed did well regardless of whether they won or not. The judges consider the whole process of putting the style together, the technique used by the entrants as well as the finished style.

Michelle Caverley, Holly O'Brien and Saramaree Fitzell all agree they had a great time at the event and their experience and confidence they gained will help them next year when they hope to enter in a different category next year as qualified hairdressers. "We want to thank our tutors for all their support, especially Jacquie and Donna who were there with us on the day to help calm our nerves," say the four students.

"I'll be encouraging all my students to enter next year, especially as it's being held here in Rotorua. It's great that they can put the skills they are learning in the classroom and training salon on campus into coming up with their own design to style on a model," says Mrs Horgan.

Judges of the pre-apprentice section were Brett Holmes, owner of Tauranga's Salon by Design and James Williams, who was Steward of the day. Leader Scissors (spelt right) sponsored the prize of a new pair of scissors for Ann-Maree.

Waiariki offers hairdressing programmes in Rotorua, Taupo, Tokoroa and Whakatane.

ENDS

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