When Minnesota School of Cosmetology (MSC) alumna Leniesa Williams learned how to round-brush hair when she first started at MSC, she says she didn’t like it and thought she wasn’t good at it. Now, she is the salon manager at Blast Blow Dry Bar in downtown Minneapolis and is using the skills she learned on a daily basis.

“I do hair, makeup and waxing. I have request clients every day, and I love doing what I do,” says Leniesa.
​
Leniesa still speaks to her instructors who helped her realize her full potential in the cosmetology industry.

After I separated from the Marine Corps, I decided to attend Triangle Tech because of my interest in CADD. I have family members that previously attended Triangle Tech and recommended I go there to earn my Associate in Specialized Technology degree in Computer- Aided Drafting and Design. I selected the CADD program because I had experience with CADD in high school and I enjoyed the program and could see myself having a career in Drafting and Design.

Digital Cinematography graduate Sady approaches video-editing headfirst. Unlike other editors, Sady controls FinalCut Pro using a switch access scanning system.

​Sady, who was born with cerebral palsy, has two switches situated on either side of her wheelchair headrest. She controls those switches by moving her head to make a selection on her main computer. The system is hooked up to all of her devices – from her wheelchair to her iPhone. Once she selects which device she wants to control, she’s presented with a list of functions and shortcuts that allow her to control each device or program. Using this system, she can text, ​email, talk on the phone (through automated voice software), and much more.

Shawn is driven to make an impact in the lives of everyone he meets. Whether serving homeless individuals on the street or at his job as a pediatric nurse, Shawn lives his life for others.

“I strongly feel that the reason I’m here, is to help others,” he said. “I’m 40 years old. I worked my tail off to get where I am now and am a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to change your life and do what you want to do.”

​When one suffers with chronic migraines, getting through everyday life can be a challenge. With Chrissy being a chronic migraine sufferer since early 2016, she never stopped pursuing her dream of becoming a licensed cosmetologist.

​Bazil relocated from Georgia to Florida in 2016 to start a new life for himself. He wanted to do something that he could be proud of. Bazil quickly became known around campus for his professionalism and work ethic. His instructors saw him as
a quiet leader, one who didn’t complain but instead someone who kept moving forward.

​

​Prior to attending All-State Career Baltimore, Deriaus was at a split road. He needed to make the decision of which road he wanted to travel. Road ‘A’ led to a future of self -destruction and becoming another statistic. Road ‘B’ led to future that would require hard work and commitment to achieve a goal for a brighter future. In March 2017, Deriaus decided to take Road ‘B’. 

​My name is Gloria. I am a veteran who served my country in the United States Army for 8 years. I am currently enrolled in the Surgical Technologist Program here at Fortis College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Furthering my education is important to me. I feel that I have a lot of drive left in me and I want to use it to help save lives. 

On top of being a veteran, I am a mother of four beautiful little girls that look up to me. I want my daughters to see how hard their mom worked to get to where she is. ​

​Dusty is the 2018 Aviation Institute of Maintenance Orlando Student of the Year.  Amazed, humbled and surprised, Dusty says that this award is important because “it propagates the will to go beyond the standard. Not just for me, but for anyone aspiring to be an A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) mechanic through AIM.” The most rewarding part he says is knowing that the instructors, student body and school staff, that he respects so much, recognized his hard work.