Aveda Institute Orlando is excited to recognize three students for the month of April! Congratulations to Tracey Strawn for being our Spa Student of the Month, Casi Ricci for being our B side student of the month, and Kelly Sierra for being our Master’s student and our A side student of the month. Get to know these amazing girls better by reading about them below.

Aveda Institute Orlando Spa Student of the Month – Tracey Strawn

Tracey Strawn is our Spa student of the month.  Tracey grew up in Arizona, New Jersey and Pennsylvania before settling down in Orlando about 20 years ago.  She is committed to working in the community with various charitable organizations.  She also loves gardening, making baby quilts for local art shows and being an awesome mom to her 4 children who range from ages 3-14.  Her decision to enroll in Aveda was easy as she feels strongly about the mission statement, the natural products and our commitment to be stewards of the earth while giving back to society.  “I have a passion for taking care of others and being in an environment where it is a priority to honor and take care of yourself.  I am very connected to Aveda’s approach to holistic wellness by engaging the body, mind and spirit through rituals and chakra journey’s.  My background as a community herbalist aligns seamlessly to the wellness that Aveda provides through products and services.”

Aveda Institute Orlando B Side Student of the Month – Casi Ricci

Casie Ricci is our B side student of the month.  Prior to attending Aveda, Casie graduated from Bayside High School in Palm Bay, FL, where she served as the President of the Creative Writing Club.  After she graduated high school, her creativity blossomed as a Theater major in college.  While in college, Casie did hair and makeup for 3 years at a haunted house and decided to pursue her passion for Cosmetology after finding out about the Aveda Institute Orlando through a google search.  When she came in for the tour she said, “I loved the atmosphere, the size of the facility and the energy of the school.  I knew that Aveda was a school that focused on my passion of hair and makeup in a specialized way.”  Now that Casie is a Masters student, she says, “My favorite part of being at Aveda is my connection with my Educators.  They can be strict but they are all loving, open and encouraging.  They push me to put myself into my work and cater to all of the students varied learning styles.  I enjoy seeing my work in the detailed projects that I get to do on my guests.  I am confident that I am being prepared to work in a salon and beyond.  I see myself in an Aveda salon and eventually in the industry doing editorial work, theater, movies and commercials.”

Aveda Institute Orlando A Side Student of the Month – Kelly Sierra

Kelly Sierra is a Master’s student and our A side student of the month.  Kelly moved to Orlando from Redding, PA only 2 months before enrolling at Aveda.  She came to Orlando seeking more opportunity for her and her 2 year old daughter, Mia.  Her goal is to work at an Aveda salon when she graduates and she would like to eventually own her own Aveda salon. “I chose to come to Aveda after the website attracted me to the school.   When I met my Admissions Manager, Michelle, she made me confident in my decision to enroll.  I knew that it was going to be a very professional learning environment.  I love my Aveda family because they are always checking in on me, they are supportive, positive and encouraging.  The curriculum is awesome and nobody can even touch the amount of education that we receive here at Aveda.  Everyone here genuinely cares and keeps everything very organized so that we can be successful.  I am also in love with every single product and all of the amazing Aveda scents.”