Cosmetologists Chicago awards scholarship to Villa Park resident

At five years old, Karla Hernandez of Villa Park was cutting hair. Her dolls' hair. At 13, she stated her career goal: to be in hair design - and she demonstrated her ability by showcasing her talent in the art of hair braiding.

Fast forward, after working full time to be able to attend Pivot Point Academy, Karla landed a job at Zano Salon & Day Spa … and has now been awarded a CC Presidents Scholarship from nonprofit Cosmetologists Chicago to study haircutting and makeup artistry at the prestigious Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica, California.

An excited Karla Hernandez comments, "I am thrilled and honored to be chosen by Cosmetologists Chicago, the largest association of salon professionals in the Midwest, to receive this scholarship. I love the beauty business. I love being a hairdresser. And I look forward to being a great hairdresser, makeup artist, and mentor … and to be able to give others the opportunities that have been given me."

Zano Salon founder, Denise Provenzano, remarks, "Hard working is putting it mildly. Karla worked hard at school, and she had the largest clientele and the highest amount of referrals. She graduated with honors and now works full time as a hairdresser at Zano Salons. She loves what she does, who she does it for and who she does it with, and she will always share what she learns with others!"