Pictured above: NC’s Joseph Abbruscato (right) receives a gold medal from Master Judge Don Grylls.
Niagara College Hairstyling professor Joseph Abbruscato was recently recognized by the Allied Beauty Association for achieving a gold medal in its Master Judges of Canada program.
The Allied Beauty Association – a not-for-profit organization that represents more than 90% of the Canadian professional beauty supply industry for hair and nails – awarded Abbruscato with the gold at its gala event on the weekend of Sept. 21-22 in Toronto at the Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre.
Stephanie Gadbois, show manager, Allied Beauty Association, noted that completion of the gold program requires a dedicated level of commitment over time; it takes a minimum of about four years to complete each level – silver, gold and platinum. Completing the gold level requires at least eight years of involvement in the program, acquiring program credits, attending seminars and judging competitions across Canada. As Master Judges achieve each level, they become increasingly qualified and in-demand at competitions.
“We congratulate Joe and all other medal recipients who worked very hard to achieve their Master Judge medals. Joe has become a very dedicated Master Judge, especially in the province of Ontario,” said Gadbois. “Hair competitions are quite technical. Judges need to have a very skilled eye and have to be very connected to world trends. Those master judges who train competitors now have the inside track to exactly what competitors need to win.”
Abbruscato was honoured to receive the award. The Niagara Falls resident, who has 22 years of experience in the industry, has been working as a professor technologist for NC’s apprenticeship and Hairstyling Techniques program for the past five years.
“It’s a special feeling to know that your hard work and commitment has been recognized,” said Abbruscato. “I take a lot of pride working with Niagara College students as well as judging competitions as a representative of the College.”
“We applaud Mr. Abbruscato on his accomplishment which demonstrates his high level of expertise and dedication to the industry,” said Jeff Stewart, chair of Hospitality, Tourism and Administration at Niagara College. “His professional achievements are an asset to Niagara College and will be valuable to each student he trains for success in this exciting field.”
