Students shine at national awards

Talented hair and beauty students from The Manchester College celebrated awards in five categories at this year's Association of Hairdressing and Therapists Awards (AHT) national finals.

The creative students scooped six awards across five categories including first and second place in Advanced Nail Art – Mirror Image, second place in Free Hand Nail Design, third place in Gender Transformation and Creative Nail Art, and fourth place in Ladies Evening Hair.

Kirsty Hughes, 25, who is studying on the Level 3 Nail Technician course at the College’s Northenden Campus, won first place in the Advanced Nail Art – Mirror Image category. The category’s theme was ‘Fruit’ and Kirsty’s 3D grape design clinched her top prize. Kirsty said: “I’d tried a few different fruit ideas before settling on the grape design. I was really nervous at the start of the competition and was really happy to win. I’m proud of myself.”

I’m proud of myself

Thirty five year old Angela Ward is studying Media Hair and Make-up at the College’s Northenden Campus. Angela came third in the Gender Transformation category. “This is the first competition I’ve taken part in. I just forget everyone around me and concentrate on what I’m doing. I like to do something different and this allows me to be creative.”

The prestigious event held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, saw students from colleges across the UK compete to be crowned best in their category. Now in its 52nd year, the annual competition is one of the main college competitions for hair and beauty students.

a fantastic achievement to take part

Head of Department at The Manchester College, Lynne Cummins said, “The AHT Finals showcase the best in hair and beauty talent in colleges across the country and it’s a fantastic achievement to take part. I’d like to congratulate all our students who entered the competition, they performed to a very high standard and we are very proud of the hard work and enthusiasm displayed by all of them.”