By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Recent Hays Academy of Hair Design graduate Kenzie Wolf capped off her studies in a pretty big way, taking the top spot in the Future Star category in the 2020 Beauty Envision Awards.
The national contest brings in hundreds of constants from around the county.
“It was such an exciting moment,” Wolf said. “It’s one of those things where anything is possible and it made me realize all my hard work was worth something and that I could really go far in this industry.”
But she wasn’t always sure that cosmology was in her future.
“Hair has always been in the back of my head. I’ve known I wanted to do that for a while,” Wolf said. “But I was always told I wouldn’t make money or be successful.”
After receiving an associate’s degree from Barton County Community College, she took a tour of the academy and took the plunge.
During her time at the academy, she continued to live in Hoisington and hopes to open her own salon there in the future.
“I’ve talked about going somewhere big, it’s in my mind, but I think I want to end up opening a salon here in Hoisington. I think that is my main goal,” Wolf said.
While Wolf was able to snag the top spot, the academy had four others make it into the top 10 including Courtney Crawford, Plainville, who was also a top three finalist.
“For us to have that many represented is absolutely an honor,” said Danielle Markley, co-owner. “We are very proud of Kenzie and the hard work that all the students put in.”
Typically, the top three finalists will compete in a live competition in Las Vegas, but ongoing COVID-19 concerns pushed the contest online, with a virtual show.
“Enter a total look that highlights your creativity and visionary determination while showcasing your clear understanding of cutting, styling, texture and color. Looks must be commercial, contemporary, and wearable,” the listing for the contest said. “Your design should be limitless, bold, bright and fearless. Your cut should enhance your color work, and your finish should showcase your color. When these elements come together in just the right way, your total look (hair, fashion and makeup) should capture the audience.”
To enter the first round of the contest, Wolf said she had to find a model and create an inspiration board showing their idea initially struggling to find an idea, but landed on a bold concept.
“I went with the more edgy stuff,” Wolf said. “The girls at my school I was competing with were all doing long cuts, with color melts and I wanted to do something way different than everyone.”
After finding a style she liked, she created the look for her model.
“I just wanted to be different than everybody else and stand out,” Wolf said.
That strategy would pay off with her win.
That a big reason for the contests — Markley said they help the students find their own style.
“Whenever it comes to a competition, they really have to put themselves out there,” she said. “For them to really put themselves out there and go for it, we are proud of them for that.
“We have a motto at Hays Academy, and it’s get comfortable being uncomfortable and when students step out of their comfort zone they are going to grow,” Markley said.
