Ask a beauty professional to talk about their childhood and you will hear stories of kids playing in mom’s makeup and raiding closets to dress in style. Now, as adults, we spend our few spare moments watching videos of intricate line designs and nail art for new inspiration. We chose this industry because we love this industry and we love this industry because it is fun. It allows us to blur the line between work and play. After all, who doesn’t want to have fun doing what they love?

Join contributing writer, Trevor Cobb, in this four-part series that peeks through the curtains and curriculum of AOHD to answer this simple question: what is left when we strip away the extras and examine the core elements that make us who we are?

Yearly Fashion Show

One of the most popular events of the school year is our 51�Թ� Fashion Show. It is the perfect opportunity for our students to express their creativity and take ownership of their work. On teams that combine students from all four of our programs, they create a series of looks around a voted-upon theme. Come the day of the show, they execute these looks on models, staff members, and fellow students.  The team with the highest quality, creativity, and technique is awarded the winning prize.

Breaking out of the box

The fashion show fills a lot of needs for AOHD students. For one, they get to create looks that are perhaps more avant-garde, high fashion, or creative than their daily services. They become their own client, deciding on a haircut, makeup, and style for themselves. Maintaining complete creative control over their models, their artistic vision, and their team’s styling is a rare opportunity. This is where our students are encouraged to try something new and push themselves out of their comfort zone.

Industry Connections

Additionally, the fashion show provides an opportunity to exhibit work to salon owners and beauty professionals in the Springfield area. We invite alumni and salon owners to judge the competition. This allows salon owners to take a close work at the incredible work AOHD students are doing. At events like these, students build their professional network and meet people who could be potential future employers. These employers have seen what our students can do, and they remember them when making hiring decisions months later. With over 20 guest judges invited, students are encouraged to mingle, shake hands, and bridge the gap between where they are now and where they want to be when they graduate.

Competition and Collaboration

Of course, the most important aspect is the collaboration and team spirit that binds together. Students enjoy the competitive nature of the show. They collaborate with their team to create a holistically designed fashion experience. During the weeks leading up to the show, the school is buzzing with friendly energy and competitive posturing. Students and staff boast about their team’s theme and our social media is overrun with playful posts and memes. Team colors fly as everyone claims the future first place prize as their own. This competition urges students to outdo one another, but also to outdo themselves. After weeks of preparation and practice, they create work they once believed to be an impossible task. We admit that it is impossible for us to hide our pride in these talented future professionals.

Sharing our Style

At its core, the fashion show is about sharing joy. Every day, we want our students find joy in their work. They serve with a smile and equip clients with confidence and happiness. Through annual events like the fashion show, we get to put this spirit of fun and joy that we live daily on display in a big way. The beauty industry is centered around personal happiness. We encourage our students to maintain a positive attitude and spread it to whatever salon they enter. We know when we are having a good time, our clients will as well.

Okay, so let’s get back to our original question: what is left when we strip away the extras and examine the core elements that make us who we are?

The AOHD Fashion Show combines creative experimentation, networking, and competition into a meaningful night for many of our students. Most of all, we put on this event because it is fun, for us, the students, the participants, and the public. Fun and happiness are the core of what we do and who we are as beauty professionals.  #FunIsLeft

Want to see more pictures of our 2018 fashion show?

Want to check out other blog posts that discuss our core values? Easy, click here!

Want to know how to pick a school that values Love, Excellence, Fun, and Transformation? Easy, click here! 

Ready to invest in yourself and turn your passions into a paycheck? You know the drill, click here!

Trevor Cobb is a 2018 graduate of Drury University who majored in Writing, Spanish, and Graphic Design. He was a social media intern for 51�Թ� in 2017 and is currently the Digital Marketing Specialist for 360 Communities in Burnsville, Minnesota. He enjoys creative writing, design and finding beauty wherever he goes.

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translates as ‘coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome’. In Rwandan culture, this means members of the community call upon their family, friends, and neighbors to help complete a challenging task. The last Saturday of each month the entire country closes down in the morning so that an individual from each family can complete an act of community service. Such a strong focus on community involvement inspires Rwandan people to carry out community projects more than once a month. As a resut, Umuganda has a whopping 91.3% participation rate. It’s no surprise that Rwandan people are dedicated to improving their and coming together for a larger purpose.

Community Impact

At 51�Թ�, we found this dedication to community inspiring. Can you imagine if this practice was adopted in the United States? Just think about every person from ages 18-65 participating in a few hours of community service; the impact would be incredible. Of course, the community would benefit immensely, but the sense of togetherness we feel would be life-changing. Simply knowing that once a month you get to be a part of a country-wide movement is exhilarating.

Our Umuganda

In 2013, 51�Թ� sponsored the creation of the Dream Beauty Academy in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa. During that trip, our owners and staff first learned of Umuganda. The team was struck by this beautiful tradition and knew immediately this practice needed to be a part of their campus culture. Each year at locations in both Springfield, Missouri and Austin, Texas the students and educators disperse into the community and do what they can to give back.

Read below to see how each school impacted their community.

Springfield

In Springfield, this included the Gardens, the Ozarks Food Harvest, the Dream Center, Quail Creek, Maples Nursing 51�Թ�, and Harmony House. Students from all programs offered up their skills. All throughout the community, we offered haircuts, styles, manicures, and makeup applications. Making our neighbors feel beautiful and confident in their own skin is invaluable.

Another group of students packaged enough food to provide over 6,000 Thanksgiving meals. Not only did students perform acts of service, they built relationships. In my own experience with volunteering, it is these relationships that have the strongest impacts. While the haircut might only last a few weeks, the personal connection and the feeling of togetherness can last a lifetime.

Austin

In Austin, the team worked in the Community First Village, SafePlace, Lifeworks, and Foundation Communities. Offering beauty and barbering services to those in need helps them to feel whole, to feel like they are a part of a community. When you do have regular access to these services, it’s easy to overlook the importance of having control over your image.

Each year we see success, both in literal accomplishment and the phenomenal effect of spreading positivity throughout the community. We hope that by beginning this tradition with our students, we can influence them to continue to live a life of service even after graduation.

Quick Question

Now that you know how we celebrate Umuganda, what do you think? Do you see the benefit of a national day of giving? Do you know how to give back? I would love to know your thoughts! You can reach me at bethany@aohd.com.

Sincerely,

Bethany

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What? No, not for Christmas. It’s time for our annual Fashion Show!

We’re rolling out the red carpet.

If you’re hearing about this for the first time, let’s break down what has everyone so excited.

Our talented students are divided into five teams: Yellow, Purple, Red, Black, and Blue.

Over the last few weeks, each team pulled together and created a show highlighting their collective creativity. They’ve designed every element, from the on-screen presentation to the unique looks their models will embody as they move down the catwalk.

This year’s theme is as big and bright as the personality and performances that define it: HOLLYWOOD!

So get in on the glitz and the glam and come see us Monday, October 15th. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

We only look expensive, admission is free.

Lights… Camera… Academy!

(PSSST. Want to see a preview? )

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“Our goal is to create a strong foundation of service in our students and staff,” says Linda Daugherty, Superintendent. The word Umuganda can be translated as ‘coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome’. In traditional Rwandan culture, members of the community would call upon their family, friends and neighbors to help them complete a difficult task. The last Saturday of the month, the entire country shuts down for the morning hours, and the minimum of one representative from each family is required to report for community service.

The Academy learned of Umuganda in 2013 when they started a school, Dream Beauty Academy, in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa. “We want to not only give back to our community, but invest in people, build a network, and built our community. That’s what it’s all about. The more our students give, the more they will get back in their businesses,” said Melissa Bittle, Admissions Director.

Students and staff were at several locations including, Harmony House, three Boys and Girls Club locations, Least of These in Nixa, The Maples Health and Rehabilitation, and at the Academy campus. The Academy hopes to host this event multiple times per year.

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The 51�Թ� is celebrating its 20th year in 2016!

51�Թ� focuses on individual transformation starting with a first-class education in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring. The academy is committed to helping students reach their full potential by preparing them for a career in the beauty and barber industry. 51�Թ� provides a unique education for students who desire to explore their passions and creativity, learn professional salon techniques and business skills, and successfully stand out in the beauty industry.

Jerry Bevelle, his daughter, Christie Gonzales, and her husband, David Gonzales, started the school in 1996, after struggling to find talented hair stylist to work at their successful and growing hair salon chain. They wanted a place where they could train students on the latest techniques and give them the business knowledge that they would need to be successful! The 51�Թ� was born!

In the 20 years The 51�Թ� has been around it has seen over 1000 students come through its four programs for training, including students from all over the Midwest. The Academy has won multiple awards including Salon Owner’s Choice for the best school in Southwest Missouri and a Missouri State University Best Salon Award. We are proud of the outstanding educators and students who have been connected with the Academy over the years!

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Our students did an amazing job at our Fashion Show! They designed costumes, make up, nails, body art, and theatrics using Disney movies for inspiration. Each team spent weeks designing and perfecting their team’s looks. It was great to see it all come together for a great night of fun, food, and fashion!

Team One used the theme of “Villains & Heroes” for their inspiration. Characters included in their presentation included: Ariel, Ursula, and Flounder (Little Mermaid). Simba and Mufasa (The Lion King), Davey Jones and Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Carribean), Winifred, Sarah, and Mary (Hocus Pocus).

Team Two used the theme of “Alice & Wonderland” for their inspiration. Characters in their presentation included: Queen of Hearts, White Rabbit, The Mad Hatter, Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, Cards, A Young & Older Alice, and The White Queen.

Team Three used the theme of “Two is Better than One” for their inspiration. Characters in their presentation included: Princess Leia and Chewbacca (Star Wars), Princess Jasmine and the Genie (Aladdin), Cruella de Vil and Pongo (101 Dalmations), Peter Pan and Tinker Bell (Peter Pan), Pocahontas and Flit (Pocahontas), Snow White and Grumpy (Snow White), Rocket Raccoon and Groot (Guardians of the Galaxy).

The Fashion Show concluded by announcing team category winners. Team 2, “Alice and Wonderland,” was declared this year’s overall winner! We want to give a big thanks to all of our students and educators who worked so hard to bring this together and to our judges who dedicated their time and expertise! It was a wonderful evening!

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Our goal as an Academy is to expose our students to every facet of the industry we can. Our most recent opportunity to do this came with our third annual Student Hair Wars competition. Student teams were formed, who then created unique overall looks for their models, from hair and makeup to nails, body art and wardrobe. The models and student traveled from the Academy in Springfield to the photography studio for a professional photo shoot with photographer Becci Hutter of Clear Creative Photography.

This year’s theme was “shapes”. After votes were cast, and all were counted, this years winning team was the Esti Techs.

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“We arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa to a welcoming staff at Africa New Life Ministries. The city is beautiful, clean, and full of lovely people. We are excited to spend time and work in Kigali, but we are also faced with some powerful history of the country,” one of the students commented. “Taking the sights and sounds in first hand has changed us, and walking along side the Rwandan people this week will change us more,” said Melissa Bittle, Admissions Director at AOHD.

In 2012, Ron King Academy’s sister school, The 51�Թ� (AOHD), partnered with Africa New Life Ministries to build , located in the capital city. It is a non-profit cosmetology school funded by AOHD with the help of individual sponsors. The team worked with two classes of students to teach muzungu (white people) hair, manicures, pedicures and business skills.

In a country where more than lives in poverty, the school is helping women develop
careers that will affect their families for generations to come. Dream Beauty Academy is allowing women to transform their minds, spirit, and cultivate their passions and talents. In an 11 month program, students are educated in a trade that allows them to provide for and change the legacy of poverty in their family. Unlike the US, structured training is not a requirement for professionals in Rwanda, so the diploma the graduates earn gives them an edge over the competition.

Many Rwandans travel by foot to work, some for three hours each day. In an attempt to help graduates find work and internships closer to home, the admission representatives spent a day visiting and building relationships with established salons in the city. Securing positions in salons closer to home will lessen the physical burden of transportation and allow limited financial resources to be allotted to food, shelter and other necessities.

One of the most memorable moments for the US team was while visiting recent graduates in Kigali salons. “It was exciting for us to see their success first hand and encouraging for them to be blessed with a visit. We showered them with love, products such as fingernail polish, combs, makeup to use for guest services and departed with congratulations and uplifting word,” remarked one of the students.

An admissions representative received an experience of a lifetime during the trip. As a devoted sponsor, she helps financially to provide education, food, activities and health care for a child through African New Life Ministries. While visiting Rwanda, she was able to meet the child she sponsors and her mother in person. The home visit allowed the sponsor and child to meet for the first time, exchange a first hug, and look in each others eyes. “Rwandan
people have such beautiful eyes and to see the love between a sponsor and child is truly an experience one will remember.”

The purpose of Dream Beauty Academy is to help enrich Rwandan women’s lives and help many escape sex trafficking that is rampant in the country. As it is accomplishing this goal, the school is also doing something unexpected for the Americans involved.

“The African school has been a sweet surprise — an awesome surprise. We expected it to change their [the Rwandan students] lives but it has affected our students in an incredible way. It’s changed the culture of our schools,” says AOHD and Ron King Academy owner David Gonzales.

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