First Place in British Talent Awards for Riverside Students

Talented hairdressing students at Riverside College, Jack Steele and Leah Buckley, are celebrating after both achieving first place in education categories at the Hair and Beauty British Talent Awards 2017.

Both students are employed at Crème De La Crème Hair & Beauty Boutique in Widnes and were put forward for the competition by salon owner Kathryn Carney who was confident in their abilities.

Above: Jack Steele and Leah Buckley

Jack and Leah faced tough competition from skilled students and hairdressers from across the UK in their categories; Jack competed for Junior Stylist of the Year while Leah competed for Apprentice Hairdresser of the Year, however the talents of the young hairdressers shone through and they both were chosen as winners in their respective categories.

Leah Buckley, from Widnes and a former Wade Deacon High School pupil, is currently a Level 2 Apprentice at Crème De La Crème Hair & Beauty Boutique while studying at Riverside College. She commented “I am so pleased to have won Apprentice Hairdresser of the Year as I have never won anything before! The college has been great; they put time and effort into teaching their students the best. Following my course I would love to one day own my own hairdressing salon.”

Jack, from Runcorn and a former St Chad’s Catholic and Church of England High School pupil, is currently studying the Level 3 Professional Hairdressing course at Riverside College. After winning the competition he said “I am really happy to have been awarded Junior Stylist of the Year. I wouldn’t have gained it without the guidance from my employer Kathryn or my tutors Diane Farrington and Suzanne McGucken at Riverside. I plan to progress as a stylist and hopefully one day own my own salon.”