Midland College Cosmetology Students Compete in Pride Month Styling ContestJuly 01, 2021

A cut, color, and blow-dry with pride! Midland College (MC) Cosmetology students styled mannequins to compete in a contest celebrating Pride Month. 
 
LGBTQ Pride Month is celebrated each year in the month of June. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had on history.
 
At MC’s contest, the sky was the limit. Students mixed real hair color and practiced toning the rainbow hues. Extravagance was the key to standing out. Students used hairpieces, sparkles and unique makeup to capture the judges’ attention. 
 
“We did a lot of research into pride month,” MC Cosmetology student Adilene Hernandez said as she explained her group’s inspiration behind their mannequin. “When I think of pride, I think of lots of color and crazy hairstyles. We brainstormed a lot of ideas and narrowed it down to what we liked the most.”
 
“We wanted to showcase the different techniques we have learned in class,” MC Cosmetology student Irene Frost said. “We practiced bleaching, coloring, lifting, extensions and braiding. We wanted to implement it all and bring it together in one mannequin.”
 
The contest was open to first semester and second semester cosmetology students. The idea was the brainchild of Cosmetology instructor, Stephanie Boxie. 
 
“I am really, really proud of these students,” Boxie said. “They exceeded my expectations. This contest brought out a competitive and creative side in these students. I really hope they enjoyed the process.”
 
First, second and third prize winners received appropriate hairstyling tools and beauty products. The winners were: 
 
First Place: Mariana Aguilar, Irene Frost, Adilene Hernandez
 
Second place: Nancy Swafford and Jamie Shepherd
 
Third place: Eric Gonzalez
 
The contest garnered so many participants, the Cosmetology faculty hope to make it an annual thing similar to their other outreach activities like haircuts for needy children and pink hair extensions for Breast Cancer Awareness month. 
 
“I think we will make this contest a yearly thing since I know what the students can do now,” Boxie remarked. 
 
The Cosmetology Program at MC offers students the ability to be licensed within a year.

Midland College is certified by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations as a cosmetology training provider. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for successful completion of the Texas Cosmetology Operator licensure examination.

With an on-site salon environment, students receive hands-on training while serving members of the community. To schedule an appointment with a student stylist call (432) 685-6721. Visit here for pricing and services. The salon is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Discounts are available for MC employees and students. The salon entrance is located on the west side of the breezeway between the Technology Center and Helen L. Greathouse Child Care Center.

See CBS7's Coverage of the Contest