4:17pm Tuesday 13th March 2007
By Rachel Sharp
A TRAINEE hairstylist from Uxbridge College has beaten others from all over the UK in a styling competition.
Mesrak Kaleab, 20, was a winner in the national finals of the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists trainee competition, held in Blackpool on March 5.
She came second in the Afro Caribbean hair section in the competition, which involved finalists from 52 colleges. Mesrak and two other hairdressing trainees from the college had won through regional heats held in Bournemouth on February 6.
Mesrak is in her first year of a City & Guilds hairdressing NVQ level 2, studying in the training salons at the college's Hayes Community Campus off Coldharbour Lane, Hayes.
She joined the NVQ course after a year doing ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) with entry to hairdressing at the college.
Mesrak, who lives in Hayes, said: "There were a lot of people in the competition and I was nervous - we had 30 minutes to do a style that can take up to two hours normally. But once I started working I forgot my nerves and just worked really hard.
"I feel very excited about being second and I am willing and able to do better next time. I plan to set up my own salon and also train and inspire other people do what I do."
Sandra Vieira, hairdressing lecturer at Uxbridge College, said: "This is a well-deserved achievement for Mesrak who produces excellent work and is very motivated and professional.
"She is one of the many students who have thrived in the professional environment of our salons here at Hayes and I have no doubt she will go on to further successes."
Entry fees and travel expenses for the heats and finals were met by student fundraising, money raised at last year's Hairdressing and Beauty Annual Show, and by the College Enrichment programme.
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