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  "path": "/professional-beauty-association-announces-beacon-class-of-2026-with-largest-cohort-in-more-than-six-years?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=professional-beauty-association-announces-beacon-class-of-2026-with-largest-cohort-in-more-than-six-years",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-23T16:32:34.000Z",
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  "textContent": "The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) has announced the Beacon Class of 2026, sponsored by My Salon Suite, welcoming 222 students selected from 435 applicants. The figures represent the program’s largest applicant pool and class size in more than six years and reflect growing national engagement in professionalbeauty education. Beacon is PBA’s premier student leadership initiative, designed to strengthen the future of professional beauty by connecting emerging talent with industry leaders, brands and career pathways. By bringing students together from across the country at a national platform, Beacon helps foster a more connected and collaborative professional community. Beacon 2026 takes place May 29–31, 2026, alongside Premiere Orlando in Orlando, Florida. As part of the experience, students will attend the 2026 PBA North American Hairstyling Awards, presented by JCPenney, gaining exposure to the industry’s highest level of creative excellence. Applications increased 47 percent in esthetics and doubled in nail technology, while applicants came from 25 states, including seven new states not seen in recent cycles. The growth underscores rising interest in specialized beauty disciplines and a broader national footprint for the program. “Beacon is where the future of our industry begins,” said Leslie Perry, CEO of the Professional Beauty Association. “These students …",
  "title": "Professional Beauty Association Announces Beacon Class of 2026 With Largest Cohort in More Than Six Years"
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