Student Spotlight: Monica McGarry
Monica McGarry, a cosmetology graduate from Tucson, AZ, has been named one of six national winners of the 2025 Sports Clips Battle of the Hair Contest. As part of her victory, McGarry received an all-expenses-paid trip to San Antonio, TX to attend the Sport Clips National Huddle in May 2025.
McGarry鈥檚 journey into cosmetology was a calling years in the making. From experimenting with hair and makeup for her sister’s wedding to making the bold decision to enroll in beauty school, she followed her passion with determination.
One unforgettable day at school, she received the surprise of a lifetime while doing what she loved most- working on a client.
鈥淚 was coloring my client鈥檚 hair when I heard people looking for me. Miss Tracy comes over to me asking how my client was doing. I turned around and there they were with flowers and balloons telling me I won the Sports Clips Battle of the Hair competition. I was so excited. We took a bunch of pictures and they told me I was going to San Antonio, Texas. It was the best day,鈥� said McGarry.
McGarry was allowed to bring an educator with her to the event. She chose Renee Bowen, an educator at Empire Tucson, AZ.
鈥淚 chose my educator Renee because we immediately connected. I felt like every time I needed help, she really helped me. She鈥檚 so patient, kind, and she keeps it real. She pushes us to be better. That was helpful for me because she didn鈥檛 baby us. I feel like she is a very good person, and I needed someone I felt comfortable with. If I felt stressed, I could go to her.鈥�
Bowen expressed how proud she was to be part of the experience, saying:
鈥淚鈥檝e had the pleasure of being Monica鈥檚 educator, as well as accompanying her on the trip of a lifetime鈥攊n the twenty years I鈥檝e been a cosmetologist, I鈥檝e yet to have such an adventure! Our trip was a great balance of fun, as well as educational. It still feels surreal I got to attend, as it was truly Monica鈥檚 hard work and dedication to her craft that got us there. If you ask her, she will more than likely have a demure response inferring that without her educator鈥檚 instruction, she wouldn鈥檛 have had the confidence; but that is Monica in a nutshell. A multifaceted young woman who is as genuine and humble as she is talented. And she is, in fact, very talented.鈥�
In a full-circle moment, McGarry is now working with Sports Clips.
鈥淚 applied to Sports Clips and told them about the contest. The regional manager was excited and said she was looking for me at the Huddle event. They were so welcoming and they have ongoing education programs. They were open to me being there and working right away. They let me come in to shadow people doing haircuts. They even let me go to different locations to watch people do different haircuts and pick their brains,鈥� said McGarry.
McGarry made a lasting impression during her time at 海角社区- not just for her creativity and talent, but for her leadership and compassion.
鈥淢onica has the biggest heart of gold, as a class president, she was the light in the lives of quite a few students鈥攂oth celebrating and making fun moments for her peers, to helping fundraise for some of their personal tragedies. She excelled in all her modules, and left herself open to the creative process, which left her often even surprising herself with what she could do. Monica is our first Battle of the Hair winner Empire has produced, and I was more than honored to accompany her and share a part of her journey. I鈥檓 more than certain, though this is the first of her achievements, this certainly won鈥檛 be the last for this talented young lady. She is an inspiration to her peers, very much including myself, as well. I couldn鈥檛 be any more proud of her for representing our school,鈥� said Renee Bowen, 海角社区 educator.
At 海角社区, we鈥檙e here to support you through every high and low- celebrating your wins and standing by you through the challenges. For McGarry, that support came in the form of a tight-knit group of students.
鈥淚 made best friends in beauty school. It was something I was open to but not looking for directly. Right away, I felt like I clicked with a group of people. It was amazing. There is nothing like being supported by a group of women. It鈥檚 so inspiring to see them achieve their dreams. We give each other advice from our own perspectives in Cosmetology but also in life,鈥� shared McGarry. 听
Though she completed her cosmetology program, her schooling does not end there. McGarry is fortunate to have several passions that she plans to make careers out of.
鈥淚 used to go to school for special elementary education, which is near and dear to my heart. I love teaching and being a safe place for people. My plan is to finish school 5-10 years from now. I want to be a Cosmetologist as a side job. Both of these careers are something I鈥檝e always talked about and I鈥檓 very passionate about them,鈥� said McGarry.
Your time as a beauty school student is a transformative one. We love seeing the growth in each of our students. McGarry discusses how she evolved during her schooling.
鈥淚 used to be a very closed-off person. Throughout beauty school, I learned to be much more open and get out of my comfort zone. I feel like networking has been super hard for me, but once I got the groove of it I thought it was nice. I鈥檝e learned to be more open and to let people in my life. I learned to not let anxiety ruin my life. Anxiety has ruined my life before and now it鈥檚 not. I am super thankful for my educators at Empire and Lesha, the Executive Director. They have been so great to me during my time there. I鈥檓 grateful for the friends I made. I am grateful my husband made it as much of a goal of his as it was mine,鈥� said McGarry.
For those hesitant about putting yourself and your work out there, McGarry shares her advice.
鈥�You are the person who is holding you back. If someone is holding you back, they do not need to be in your life. You have one life, live it how you want to. The what-ifs are scary, you have to talk yourself down. You have to do the things you are unsure about. You don鈥檛 know if you will like something until you do it. Try it, stick it out, give it a good chance. If you鈥檙e scared, make the jump, do it, and tell someone you can trust so they can push you. There is no harm in trying,鈥� said McGarry.
Monica, congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment. You are an inspiration to those following in your footsteps. We are so proud of you!
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