Fran Drescher, Donny and Marie Osmond, and motivational speaker Kathy Buckley were just a few of the stars onstage at Paul Mitchell Schools’ 26th annual Caper event. Held February 9–10 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, the smoke-free, alcohol-free, hands-on educational extravaganza drew over 2,300 students (known as “Future Professionals”) who earned the trip by selling more than $2.8 million in specially packaged Paul Mitchell products.

Top leaders in and out of the professional beauty industry delivered two days of nonstop education, motivation, and inspiration. On day one, an hour before show time, the doors opened and Future Professionals raced inside to grab great seats, filling the room with sky-high energy as they waited for the magic to begin.

Donny and Marie Osmond asked to be part of Caper this year. Joined by members of their Las Vegas show, they entertained for half an hour and extended heartfelt thanks to Future Professionals for supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through the Paul Mitchell Schools 2010 and 2011 FUNraising campaign. The Nanny star, Fran Drescher, popped in for a surprise visit and extended her thanks for support of her Cancer Schmancer Foundation. Audience favorite Kathy Buckley, America’s first hearing impaired comedian and founder of No Limits, shared her inspiring life story and reminded the audience that who you are is up to you and everyone is special.

Additional speakers included author and Paul Mitchell school owner Giulio Veglio and Modern Salon publisher Steve Reiss, who recognized Lucie Doughty, Scott Cole, and Linda Yodice for their feature article and cover of this month’s Modern Salon magazine. Diana Schmidtke, celebrity men’s grooming specialist whose clients include George Clooney, Matt Damon, Harrison Ford, and countless Hollywood superstars, shared her secrets for career success.

Other highlights included the Career Fair, where Future Professionals mingled with salon representatives, practiced their interview skills, and learned about opportunities across America, and the Caper Mall, featuring a full line of Paul Mitchell logo wear and educational tools. Day one ended with a favorite Paul Mitchell tradition: the White Party, where Future Professionals took pictures with their favorite stars and danced the night away.

Day two centered around three hands-on classroom rotations with top Paul Mitchell artists and educators. Haircutting and color classes were awash in a sea of mannequin heads: one for each of the 300-plus attendees in each room. Working with a theme of “What Inspires You?,” Future Professionals incorporated their own inspirations into new cutting and color techniques. In the “Look and Learn” classroom, Robert, Stephanie, Angus, Scott, and others demonstrated tips and techniques. New in this year’s lineup: a specialty class for skin care Future Professionals.

The closing show featured four top salon companies: A Robert Cromeans Salon, Lunatic Fringe, Floyd’s 99 Barbershops, and Angus Mitchell Salon. As Winn Claybaugh introduced the backstage teams responsible for the entire show—including wardrobe, makeup, production, logistics, choreography, classroom leaders, dancers, and models—his final message centered on the variety of careers and opportunities available in the beauty industry.
When asked what was the best thing that happened to her at Caper, one Future Professional said, “It felt like we were the celebrities. They’re teaching us to be the stars!”  For more information, visit www.paulmitchell.edu and www.paulmitchellschoolsFUNraising.org.

For the eighth consecutive year, the nationwide network of Paul Mitchell beauty schools will spend the months of February through April raising money for charitable organizations. In 2010, the schools raised an all-time high of $1.2 million, bringing their seven-year total to over $4.6 million.

This year they plan to raise $1.5 million for seven organizations: Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, Food 4 Africa, Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Foundation, and newcomers Morris Animal Foundation, represented by Betty White, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

“We’re so excited to welcome Betty White and Dolly Parton this year, and we’re thrilled to welcome Leeza Gibbons, Donny and Marie Osmond, and Fran Drescher back again,” said Paul Mitchell Schools Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh. “All of these incredible superstar celebrities will play an active role in motivating and encouraging our 12,000 future professionals as they take part in thousands of grassroots ‘FUNraisers,’ from cut-a-thons and car washes to fashion shows and charity balls. They’ve also joined an elite group of wonderful celebrities who’ve supported us in the past, including Larry King and Vidal Sassoon.”

Leeza Gibbons, whose Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation has been a supported charity since the FUNraising campaign began, says, “If I could start all over, I swear I would sign up to be a student at the Paul Mitchell Schools. These future professionals prove over and over again that they are committed to using their talents and passion for the greater good, and they really know how to spread the love!”

Returning to the campaign for the second year, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals founders Donny and Marie Osmond said, “In our family, we were raised to believe we all have a responsibility to give back and help others. We feel like we’ve found an extended family in Paul Mitchell Schools. From last year’s generous donation (twice the amount they originally promised) to the way they’ve reached out locally to the 170-plus Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals with their love, service, and passion, Paul Mitchell Schools have shown that giving back is not just about raising money.”