Pavros "Pavy" Olivarez topped 320 competitors to win this year's Junior Style Stars Bridal Division, held by Barristar Student Services. But unlike nearly all other contests for cosmetology students or seasoned pros, Olivarez's win means much more than just one night of glory.
"At first I thought, ‘Wow, it would be great just to have $50,000 in my pocket," smiles Olivarez. "But I soon changed my mind when I realized what the total $50,000 prize represented. I received $5,000 in cash and the chance to meet influential people and be mentored by one of them for a whole year. You can't really put a price on this once-in-alifetime opportunity."
Olivarez, who has dabbled in hairstyling for many years and is currently a commercial makeup artist, finally committed to eaing his license at Santa Monica College in 2010. He graduated three weeks before the final judging and received his license just one day before leaing that he had swept top honors in the Junior Style Stars competition.
"Since my win, everything has changed," he smiles. The "change" began when Olivarez attended Premiere Orlando—his first trade show.
"I saw so much beautiful hair, met industry icons and attended jaw-dropping shows," he reveals. "The Paul Mitchell presentation, in particular, blew me away."
Over the next year, Olivarez will receive all-expense-paid trips to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for an entire day of mentoring by cutting master Dwight Miller; a weekend of training with Martin Parsons; five days of leaing with renowned stylist Jesse Briggs in Puerto Rico; full year of mentoring by educator Mary Wilson; presentation at the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) convention in Phoenix where his mannequin will be on display; and much more. "I've known for awhile that I wanted to ea a cosmetology license, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that my new career would start out with such promise and excitement!" beams Olivarez.
This year's Junior Style Stars competition was sponsored by AACS, Milady, CLiC Inteational, JCPenney Salon, and Babyliss!
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