Six out of six for Borders College hair and beauty students

Borders College Hairdressing and Fashion Make Up students are celebrating yet again after scooping six awards at the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) finals, held recently in Blackpool.

Back row from left to right: Heather Fisher (Curriculum Learning Manager), Claire Boyle, Zoey Grahame, Baillie Steele, Brittany Barnes, Cheryl Johstone and Wendy McCutcheon (Lecturer). Front row from left to right: Carrie Stormont, Rosie Atherton, Rachel McDonald, Robyn Hartedgen and Jean Brogan

The students entered in to six categories at the prestigious event and came away with prizes in each one.

In the category for First Year Ladies Commercial Blow Dry, Claire Boyle, age 37 from Selkirk, along with model Carrie Stormont, took first place, while Cheryl Johnstone, age 27 from Hawick, along with model Jean Brogan, came in at fourth place.

Heiton student Baillie Steele, age 19, along with model Rachel McDonald, won third place in the Period 1940s Make Up category.

Brittany Barnes, age 23 from Galashiels, along with model Robyn Hartdegen, achieved fourth place In the Ladies Evening Style section.

The category for Commercial Cut and Blow Dry saw Zoey Grahame, age 23 from Kelso, along with model Rosie Atherton, come in at first place.

Zoey was also awarded the ‘Sue Bleasedale Bloomin Marvelous Memorial Trophy’ for the highest overall points in hair and barbering, scoring 148 out of 150, while also gaining the most points out of all categories on the day. This has gained her a sponsorship with the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia) and she has now been invited to attend next year’s competition in the professional category.

To top off an exceptional performance, colleges from the South of Scotland area won best overall prize for most points collected on the day.

The students took part in the competition after qualifying from the AHT regional heats, held in Edinburgh last month, which saw them bring home awards in five different categories. The finals were a step up from this and the students were up against stiff competition from across the board, so to perform how they did on the day and bring home six awards made it an outstanding achievement and one the students won’t forget.

Wendy McCutcheon (Lecturer) commented:

“We were extremely thrilled to come away from the finals with six awards. We knew the competition would be tough, with colleges from all over the country competing, so for the students to perform like they did on the day made it such an achievement and we are extremely proud of them. A lot of hours and hard work has gone in to the AHT Competition from both staff and students over the last few months and results reflect this. I would like to thank the students and staff for all their hard work and getting us to where we are. We couldn’t have asked for a better result so well done. Roll on next year!”