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For Immediate Release
February 3, 2010
AUSTIN’S SCHOOL OF SPA TECHNOLOGY RECEIVES
2010 COMMUNITY DISTINCTION AWARD
Press contact:
Danielle Palermo
Work: 518-786-0855 x1431
Cell: 609-432-2991
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February 3, 2010 (Albany, NY) – Austin’s School of Spa Technology is proud to announce its acceptance of the 2010 Community Distinction Award. This award was established as one of the Empire State’s highest honor for community service. Austin’s was chosen for its outstanding contributions to the Albany community and the Empire State.
This year’s national theme is from the Carter G. Woodson Foundation, Washington D.C. “Economic Empowerment in the Black Community: Barber Shops and Beauty Salons, a Birthplace for Ideas, a Center for Change.”
The awards were presented during the Annual New York State Black History Month Kick-off Celebration on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. The program consisted of musical and cultural presentations and a brief program honoring individuals and community organizations that have demonstrated blue-ribbon leadership and worked significantly to improve the quality of life in the Empire State.
“We strive to stay true to our Albany roots,” Faith Takes, President & CEO of Empire Education Corporation, stated in regards to this tremendous honor. “Our students and staff are some of the most giving people I have met. They are always eager to jump on a project that involves giving back to others in the community.”
Pat Frazier, a dedicated employee of Austin’s School of Spa Technology and Mildred Elley for more than twenty years, accepted the award on behalf of the Austin’s staff, faculty and students.
Other recipients of the 2010 New York State Community Distinction Award included Hair Fashions by Roma; Harder’s Beauty and Barber Supply Co, Inc; Laquita Love, Educator and Proprietor; and Stancil’s Barber Shop.
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MEDIA ADVISORY
MILDRED ELLEY AND AUSTIN’S SCHOOL OF SPA TECHNOLOGY GRADUATION SET FOR JANUARY 22;
FIRST DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF THE NEW YORK STATE POLICE, PEDRO PEREZ WILL SPEAK
Press contact:
Danielle Palermo
Work: 518-786-0855 x1431
Cell: 609-432-2991
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
January 21, 2010 (ALBANY, NY) – Pedro Perez, First Deputy Superintendent of the New York State Police has been selected by students, faculty and staff to give the keynote address at Mildred Elley and Austin’s School of Spa Technology’s graduation ceremony on January 22.
WHAT: Mildred Elley & Austin’s School of Spa Technology Graduation Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, January 22, 2010 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.
WHERE: Chancellor’s Hall, State Education Building in the City of Albany; 89 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12234.
For directions, visit: http://usny.nysed.gov/contact/driving.html
NOTE TO MEDIA: Media who wish to attend should RSVP in advance at 518-786-0855 x1431 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Journalists covering the graduation should arrive no later than 6:00pm.
This year’s graduation will feature student speeches by Jacqueline Baker, Mildred Elley Class of 2010 and Annie Williams, Austin’s School of Spa Technology Class of 2010.
Baker is part of the second graduating class of practical nurses at Mildred Elley. Leaving high school before graduation, Baker married her high school sweetheart and began focusing on her family. Once her children started school, Baker decided it was time to fulfill her dream. She enrolled in the medical assisting program at Mildred Elley and advanced into the practical nursing program. Tomorrow, she will proudly tell her story to her fellow classmates as she graduates from the practical nursing program, along with her GED.
This year’s graduation will also honor two faculty members for their excellence in teaching over the past year; Sarah Mahar (Austin’s alumna ’07) - Austin’s School of Spa Technology Instructor of Cosmetology, and Janine Palome - Mildred Elley Assistant Professor of Practical Nursing.
Perez, New York State’s first Hispanic to become First Deputy Superintendent for the New York State Police, is the second in command of the Division of State Police. Perez has served the New York State Police in many specialized capacities during his years of service, often being the first Latino to serve in these positions. Woven through the fabric of his career are outstanding achievements too numerous to mention, yet from his first assignment to his current position at Division Headquarters in Albany, Perez has earned and upheld a stellar reputation for integrity, professionalism and selfless dedication to the criminal justice system of New York State.
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AUSTIN’S HOSTED ITS FIRST ANNUAL “GIVE THANKS TO BEAUTY” EVENT
Austin’s School of Spa Technology students and first Artist in Residence, Thom Cammer, performed full makeovers to six local YWCA women.
Albany, NY (November 18, 2009) –Austin’s School of Spa Technology students and new Artist in Residence, Thom Cammer, performed full makeovers to six local women of the YWCA of the Capital Region on Tuesday, November 17, 2009.
Austin’s School of Spa Technology partnered with the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region and gave six women of their Ready to Work program full makeovers including hair cut, color and style, manicure, pedicure and make up, as well a business outfit for the workplace. Makeovers were performed by Austin’s Student Artistic Team, led by Austin’s first Artist in Residence, Thom Cammer.
A reception unveiling the six YWCA makeovers was held Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 7:00pm at the Austin’s School of Spa Technology campus, 855 Central Avenue, Albany, NY. Event attendees included local stylists and salon owners, Austin’s Student Artistic Team, Austin’s faculty, local business professionals, and YWCA staff and board members.
Faith Takes, President & CEO, enthusiastically welcomed everyone to the event and was thoroughly impressed with Cammer and the students’ work. “Thom will be a hard act follow. He has kicked off our Artist in Residence program and we are so excited to have him,” she told guests.
When asked what she got out of her day of beauty, Amanda Wells, one of the YWCA Ready to Work program women only had two words, “self esteem.”
The YWCA Ready to Work program helps women overcome employment barriers and prepares them for employment through workshops that focus on writing a resume, interview skills, goal planning and professional etiquette. Women in this program also gain real world, paid experience through working at the YWCA and local partners.
Cammer, an Albany native and Austin’s alumnus, is professionally licensed in New York State and California and regularly works bi-coastal. Internationally trained and published, Cammer currently holds Screen Actors Guild Eligibility status and is a member of IATSE local 706, the union for hair and make-up artists in Hollywood, California.
To see photos of this event, visit our Facebook page.
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AUSTIN’S ANNOUNCES FIRST ARTIST IN RESIDENCE – THOM CAMMER
Hometown celebrity to work with local beauty school to bring a bit of Hollywood styling tricks and techniques into the classroom.
Albany, NY (November 4, 2009) –Austin’s School of Spa Technology is proud to announce Thom Cammer, internationally accomplished hair and make-up artist, as their first featured Artist in Residence.
Cammer will be working closely with Austin’s students and staff to provide specialized workshops featuring goal setting and career planning, back to basics – why the fundamentals are important, creative hair design featuring high-fashion hair color lines like Manic Panic, as well as continuing education workshops for Austin’s faculty and select professionals in the area.
“We are very excited to have Thom as our first Artist in Residence.” said Amber Caruso, Austin’s School Director. “Thom brings a celebrity element to the classroom and will truly be an inspiration to our students. Austin’s is the only school in the area providing this level of education to their students.”
Cammer, an Albany native and Austin’s alumnus, is professionally licensed in New York State and California and regularly works bi-coastally. Internationally trained and published, Cammer currently holds Screen Actors Guild Eligibility status and is a member of IATSE local 706, the union for hair and make-up artists in Hollywood, California.
Some of Cammer’s most recent celebrity clients include actors Hillary Duff, Sean Astin, Josh Holloway and horror movie icons, James DuVal and Danielle Harris. He recently completed NYC Fashion Week with the Redken team working on models runway models for Betsey Johnson and Norma Kamali shows with fellow Albany native, Ellen Lawlor.###
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