Skye Ercanbrack, cosmetology student
"Why did I choose beauty? Because I can't draw to save my life. The field of cosmetology allows me to pour all my creative energy (that I'm almost completely incompetent of putting on paper) into hair. It took me a little over 18 years and several, 'I see you doing hair,' comments from complete strangers for it to finally hit me that this could be what I did with the rest of my life. From rock star to president of the United States, the thought of becoming a hairdresser actually felt like a perfect fit.

"A rock star's crazy night out on the town is old news, and presidential duties age a person a little too quickly for my taste. But a hairdresser? Now that's the life. Your name and pictures of your work appear in magazines and you even get to travel, all without the hassle of the paparazzi or lobbyists. As a hairdresser, not only can you see the world and are given the opportunity to create something different every day but you get to interact with people. This career (not job) is how I hope to leave my mark on the world. If I create some magnificent up-do, a unique product or a stellar cut that shakes the beauty industry, I'll be ecstatic. But the 'people' part of being a hairdresser is what really makes me tingle inside."

Chelsea Kiner, cosmetology student
"I could never put the exact explanation for why I chose to go into the beauty industry because you can never really put into words the passion inside of you. The best way to say it is, I am in love with the idea of beauty. There is no other feeling like doing what you are passionate about. My parents always told me to choose a profession that you can wake up every day to for the rest of your life and not get tired and bored with it. So that's what I did. I chose what I love: hair."

Nicole Losurdo, cosmetology student
"Choosing beauty isn't about me trying to change anyone on the inside, it is about trying to make them feel comfortable with what is on the outside. It is indeed human nature to admire perfection; the thing is, no one's perfect, and that's why I choose beauty. No one needs to be perfect to be beautiful. Remember that 'It's beauty that captures you attention; personality which captures your heart.'"

Brittany Lynn Bohlen, cosmetology student
"People often ask me why I wear so much eye make-up. My reply is 'why not?' If the eyes are the windows to the soul, I want to make mine as beautiful as possible. This is my goal – to make people as striking as possible. When someone's outer appearance is beautiful, then their inner splendor reflects. Sometimes I feel like there is not enough goodness in our world, with all the war and hate surrounding us. But then I get behind the chair and create beauty, and I can positively change someone's day. I discover there are still beautiful things left in this world.

"You can tell a lot about a person by the way they style their hair. You can tell if someone has had a bad hair day by their hair – it may be flat, lifeless and messy. On the flip side, you can tell if a person's having a super day if their hair is shiny, bouncy and full of body. I love the idea that I have the ability to change someone's day, their aura and their self-esteem with a little pair of silver shears, a bowl of color and a great idea."

Christina Templeton, cosmetology student
"Like so many cosmetology students, I started out by doing my friends' hair and make-up. Before school, before we would go out, or even just playing around. It was always fun to replicate a look in a magazine or from a celebrity we loved. At the end of high school, I had to make a decision – whether to try a four-year college or go to cosmetology school. Since most of my friends were planning on attending ASU, I said 'why not?' During college I could never grasp the fact that I would have to be doing this for four years. It was torture! I was never positive that I made the right decision. Starting cosmetology school was the decision I was most sure of. Though college was a great experience, I have always been sure of one thing, and that is hair."

Masami Katsumoto, cosmetology student
"I chose beauty because hairdressers in this industry are some of the very few that can touch someone's life. They have a gift that can help someone truly look and feel phenomenal, and enhance what someone looks like on the outside, allowing their inner beauty to take a stand. With my own personal experience of knowing what it means to have someone see the inner beauty in me, I think that I can also give others a confidence boost, by helping them feel great about themselves as well."

Jocelyn Price, cosmetology student
"I have chosen beauty because it is the perfect way to change the world, one person at a time, and it completes the person I am. It has taught me to dream big, because there are endless possibilities to be successful in my personal and professional life. Beauty has chosen me because I understand its true meaning, and have enlisted to spread the word everywhere I go."

Amy Beck, esthetics student
"It is commonly known that when we feel good about ourselves, both on the inside and on the outside, we enjoy out lived more fully and we have more rewarding experiences and relationships with others. When we are feeling good about ourselves, we project more confidence, we are happier and we like ourselves! By choosing to enter into the esthetics field of service, I will be partnering with my clients to help them achieve their skin care goal