"We are not bound by tradition, nor are we limited to our own understanding or to the wisdom of men. In short, this is a very unusual university."
-President Kim B. Clark
Newel K. Whitney Society at BYU-Idaho awards over $6,000 in student-run competitions
The Newel K. Whitney Society at Brigham Young University-Idaho has awarded over $6,000 to talented students who have competed in student-run competitions during Fall Semester 2006. Competitions featured include the Business Springboard Presentations, Public Speaking Competition, Entrepreneur of the Year and the Student Ad Competition.
In the Business Springboard Presentations, four student business proposals - made up of two Internet companies, a photography studio and a landscaping firm - competed for a cash award of up to $2,000. The Newel K. Whitney Society teamed up with Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) for the competition.
Chris and Sarah Meik were awarded $1,500 for investment into their company LeadRise, a real estate Web site hosting company specializing in search engine optimization. Travis Ball was also awarded $1,500 for investment in his photography company Invictus Studios.
For the Public Speaking Competition, students had to prepare a six-minute informative speech on a current event. Heather Hansen received $100 for her first place speech, where she talked about a man who had been donating money under the alias "Secret Santa." The competition was first held during Summer Semester 2006.
Student Todd Owen won the first-place prize of $3,000 for Entrepreneur of the Year as owner and creator of Custom Built, a construction company that creates custom designed sheds and garages. The award was presented to Owen during the Entrepreneur Conference held in October by keynote speaker Paul Allen, co-founder of Ancestry.com and owner of Provo Labs.
Students competed in the Student Ad Competition by making two print ads and one Internet banner ad suitable for the Yellow Pages. First-place winner Stephani Alves received a $100 cash prize, plus entry into the Yellow Pages Association's Collegiate Creative Competition for a chance to win up to $2,500. Alves is from Brazil and worked with some of that country's most well-known advertising agencies before coming to BYU-Idaho.
BYU-Idaho students can find out more about Newel K. Whitney Society competitions by visiting www.byui.edu/societies/active_societies.htm.
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Brigham Young University-Idaho is a four-year private university located in Rexburg, Idaho. The university, which is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offers both baccalaureate and associate degrees; integrated degrees and internships that are tailored to fit students' interests; a year-round track system allowing more students to attend; and an extensive activities program that provides leadership and growth experiences. It is the largest private university in Idaho, with over 11,000 students enrolled for winter 2006.
Style Note: When reporting about Brigham Young University-Idaho, please use the complete name of the university in the first reference.