Newcastle College student awarded 1st place at the AHT national Hair & Beauty competition
Level 2 Hair and Media Make-up student Kenzi Shepherd-Moss scooped the top prize in the graffiti category at the national competition.
The Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) Hair and Beauty Competition final was held at Norbeck Castle Hotel in Blackpool yesterday and saw Media Make-up students from colleges around the UK come together to compete for a top spot following the regional heats held in March.
Newcastle College’s Kenzi Shepherd-Moss scooped 1st place in the half body painting category with a graffiti theme, with Stafford College’s Sam Eggington and Grace Holden being awarded 3rd place in the team category for their under the sea look.
On their well-deserved success, Level 2 Lecturer Shelley Cross, said: “The level of skill at the AHT Final is incredibly competitive so to achieve a 1st and 3rd place is a fantastic achievement – to even get to the final is no mean feat so we are very proud of all the students who took part in the day.”
“Competitions are an important opportunity for our students to develop their skill set and stretch themselves,” continued Shelley.
“They also get to interact with peers from all over the UK and network with industry professionals, employers and judges, which not only builds their confidence but helps with time management and professional development too.
“The students who attended have worked so hard over the past couple of months and we couldn’t be prouder. Well done everyone!”
Competition category winner, Kenzi Shepherd-Moss, said: “I’m so happy and relieved that all my hard work has paid off.
“I’m overly critical of myself and found the timings quite difficult to manage so I felt I’d missed a few details off my design and didn’t think I’d win. When I found out I’d come 1st I was chuffed.”
Kenzi applied the body paint free hand to her brother Jaydon in a design based on a statue covered in graffiti. Her winning look meant she took home a trophy, medal, certificate and a £50 gift card.
“There were around 15 others in my category and some of the designs were quite similar so I think the judges liked that mine stood out,” added Kenzi. “It was such a fantastic experience and made me want to go to the World Body Festival in Austria next.”
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