Project Homeless Connect – Pivot Point Member School Participates
On August 7, 2009, students and staff from Merrell University of Hair Design in Jefferson City, MO and Academy of Beauty in St. Louis, MO (owner Rob Bruner pictured far right) met at Stephens College in Columbia, MO to participate in Project Homeless Connect. Put on by the Project Homeless Connect Committee and the Governor's Committee to End Homelessness, they joined with over 100 volunteers to provide a one-stop location for services that most homeless individuals need.
The haircut booth was well attended throughout the event. There, the students provided haircuts to homeless men, women, and children in need of those services. "Anytime you get a hair cut, it boosts your self esteem," said Scott Sharp, Admissions Director for Merrell University, "A fresh haircut is important for successful job interviews". According to Nickie Jones, co-owner of Academy of Beauty, "Projects like this are a great way for our student body to become involved in community service before they ever enter the workforce. It provides us with a platform to discuss the role that cosmetologists and business owners play in the well-being of individuals, not just local economies."
The event also benefited the volunteers by making them aware of the homeless situation in our state and providing them a way to help those individuals look and feel their best. It was a privilege to be invited to help out.
Pivot Point Hosts Successful Design Success Event for Member Schools
With nearly 250 participants attending from Member Schools in the U.S. and several from overseas, Pivot Point launched its newest educational library, A Designer’s Approach, at the Q Center in St. Charles, IL, in June.
Participants chose from a range of selections, including a training overview, curriculum and methodology support, seminars and hands-on workshops. The new Designer’s Approach library consists of Sculpture, Hair Design, Texture, Color and Salon Success. In addition, the updated Cosmetology Fundamentals module was also introduced with all components featuring new educational elements.
International delegates from Pivot Point schools and centers came from Canada, St. Croix, Trinidad, Finland, The Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden and Belgium.
For the grand finale, Leo Passage, Founder and Chairman emeritus of Pivot Point, appeared on stage as some of his grandchildren created hair designs and others assisted them.
WorldSkills Competitor in Final Training Sessions
Jennifer Miaczynski (L), WorldSkills competitor with her educator and mentor, Sharon Barnard (C), and trainer Manuel Rodriguez (R), as she practices for the final, international competition in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, September 1-7.
Jennifer Miaczynski, who has captured several gold medals on the way to the top, is in the final stretch of developing her competition design with Manuel Rodriguez. She will compete in the 40th WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, over four days.
Jennifer’s path to the world of competition began her junior year in high school as a model for a competing fellow student. The next year she competed and won first place on state level. Since then she has captured a pair of first-place wins. Miaczynski attended Kankakee (IL) Area Vocational Center, a Pivot Point Member School, where she was taught and mentored by Sharon Barnard, educator.
She has trained extensively with Rodiguez, World Supreme Champion and trainer, and Crystal Pruskowski, WorldSkills winner and trainer in men’s haircutting at the Pivot Point World Headquarters in Evanston, IL.
Miaczynski works in a salon where she says her competition training pays off when designing for her clients with detailing, texturizing, balance and form. She also is an educator for a major manufacturer.
Pivot Point International Hosts "Designing With the Masters" Workshop for German Delegation
An international group of educators and hair designers from Germany attended a five-day “Designing With the Masters” workshop at the Pivot Point International Headquarters in Evanston, IL recently. Manuel Rodriguez, international competitor, coach and trainer, conducted the classes in long hair, sculpture and color theory. Also included were segments on airbrushing, taught by expert Sami Albazi.
Attending were Christoph Hoepfer, Rolf Kruger, Nadine Gillner, Grit Duesedau, Nadja Reichertz, Rogelio Munoz, Markus Paradisch, and Tatiana Schwarz.
Manuel Rodriguez (center) demonstrates long hair techniques for the group.
Manuel Rodriguez and workshop participants watch an airbrushing technique.
Pivot Point Founder and Wife Visit Member School in Nebro, Spain
Pivot Point founder Leo Passage and wife, Lenie, visited the Member School in Nebro, Spain, recently to spend an educational day with the school director and students. The school is owned by D. Manuel Salazar and is one of five Pivot Point Member Schools in Málaga and Cadiz.