Hays Academy of Hair Design, 1214 E. 27th, placed six students in the top 10 for the annual International Sassoon Connection School cut and color competition held in December in Long Beach, Calif.

The honor is the academy’s second consecutive year placing six students in the top 10.

Hays Academy staff and students will be traveling to Long Beach in January as the Sassoon Academy awards the top three overall students.

Danielle Markley is co-owner of Hays Academy of Hair Design.

“We are so proud and honored to have six students representing Hays Academy in the top 10 International Sassoon Cut and Color Competition.  Our students work so hard throughout the year towards this and we are very blessed to have so many in the top 10,” Markley said. “Every year, the quality submitted by our students amazes me more and more.”

Markley  credits her dedicated staff for pushing each student to their maximum potential, an attribute she said is evident by six students qualifying for the awards.

“Winning is great; however I tell the students often ‘It’s not about winning, but it is about wanting to win,” Markley said. “The drive and competitive edge is what I believe sets our students apart from the others!”

Hays Academy of Hair Design congratulated the following students — Emily Keil, Sydnie Bilbrey, Whitney Imel, Julie Lang, Michelle Ann Alexandres and Phoenix Hobdell.

The Academy of  Hair Design has locations in Hays and Salina.