Основатель школы косметологии в Ланкастере получила награду за 47 лет защиты интересов студентов и благотворительность

When Deborah Dunn and Gerard Geist took the helm of Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork 24 years ago, their goal went beyond simply preparing future generations for jobs in the beauty and wellness industry. They also wanted to make a meaningful contribution to the community — and encourage others to do the same. “My husband and I believe if you can give back to the community, no matter how large or small, monetary or time, you should,” Dunn says. “We also want to provide an example for our students that if they ever own their own salon or spa, they should consider giving back to the community.” Over the past nearly quarter century, they’ve done just that. Each year, students at the school offer a full calendar of complimentary services — free haircuts and manicures at senior centers and retirement communities, manicures for breast cancer survivors, haircuts for students preparing for job interviews, and staff appreciation chair massages for a variety of local businesses, just to name a few. Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork also participates in numerous fundraisers, donating 100% of the proceeds from their services to organizations including the American Heart Association and the Salvation Army’s Coats for Kids campaign. In addition to classroom instruction, the school also operates a student salon and spa, where the public can enjoy professional-style pampering at discounted prices. In another example of giving back, Dunn has served for over 31 years as an elected member of the organization’s volunteer board, promoting the value that schools like Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork bring to their students and their communities. That spirit of community service is one reason Dunn recently received a Congressional Proclamation from U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker’s office and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mid-Atlantic Association of Career Schools, a nonprofit organization that advocates for quality career and technical education in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and West Virginia. “I have spent the last 47 years advocating with legislators and regulators on all levels to help them understand that college is not the career path for everyone and those who choose a postsecondary career school help to build this nation,” she says. “Students who attend our schools should never be treated as someone who had to settle for something other than college. They should be treated as someone with a passion for their career.” To learn more about Lancaster School of Cosmetology and the Student Salon & Spa, visit lancasterschoolofcosmetology.com.