Amber Stevenson

The competition featured presentations by young entrepreneurs, including Happy Bees, Ghost Fish, and Manavai, who showcased their business ideas. Happy Bees proposed selling happy button pins for children to provide comfort at school, Ghost Fish presented a business model focusing on creating products from microplastics collected from beaches to support environmental causes, and Manavai introduced a clothing brand focused on inspiring student athletes. The presentations also included an introduction to the entrepreneurship program's support through the Willis Center, and concluded with a session by Ampersandia, a marketing consulting firm, detailing their strategy for combining design and marketing services for small businesses.

The event featured an awards presentation for a student business competition. Key discussion topics included the evaluation criteria for the competition, the announcement of finalists and winners across multiple prize categories, and the distribution of scholarships and gifts to participants. Speakers emphasized the importance of entrepreneurial dedication, service, and ethical leadership in business, drawing parallels to the values of service and innovation.

The board meeting served as the final presentations for the Empower Your Dreams competition. Key topics included the introduction of the competition schedule, the announcement of prize structures, and the presentation of business models by finalists. Participants presented their business ideas, including a chicken wing venture and a student bicycle transportation service. The panel of judges reviewed these presentations, assessed business sustainability, marketing strategies, and risk management, and provided feedback on operational challenges and growth plans.

The meeting featured presentations for the Empower Your Dreams 2026 competition. Finalist teams presented various business models, including a laundromat service, a medicine vending machine service for underserved communities, and a smart traceability system for agriculture. The session included a review of operational plans, financial strategies, and mitigation of risks for each project.

This strategic directive for Brigham Young University--Hawaii for the 2025-26 academic year outlines key priorities and future direction. It focuses on reflecting on progress, ensuring alignment with the Church Educational System Board of Trustees, and recommitting to excellence. The three strategic priorities include upgrading physical facilities, increasing student access through initiatives like reduced credit requirements and expanded housing, and providing every student with a comprehensive Capstone Experience. This Capstone Experience is built upon five pillars—faith, intellect, purpose, resilience, and leadership—to prepare students to be disciples of Jesus Christ who can effectively live and lead in Oceania and the Asian Rim, aiming to achieve goals better, for more students, in less time.