An alumni couple is running a half a million-dollar company only three years after leaving BYU-Hawaii. Lauran Wang, a Washington native and Will Wang from Australia, met on the BYU-H campus as struggling student athletes. Married in 2010, Lauran and Will studied business finance side-by-side and graduated with honors the following year. Three short years after graduation, they are the proud owners of a half a million-dollar company in Tri-Cities, WA. The Wangs bought a dying sign company in November of 2012 for a fraction of the asking price and have turned it into a thriving digital marketing and sign business. The Wangs renamed the company Mustang Signs, currently have six employees and recently bought their own 3500 sq. ft. shop. In April 2012, Lauran was feeling unsatisfied with her marketing job at a Fortune 500 company realizing she had more potential than could be afforded in her small corner cubicle at this large company. With the help of her husband, she began to search local listings for an opportunity in the small business world. “I had found two businesses in the area that we were interested in,” said Lauran, “a dog grooming business and a sign business. We toyed with the idea of owning a dog grooming shop but just did not see our future selves as dog groomers,” joked Lauran. It was a challenge to be thrown into an industry she was not very familiar with and be successful, said Lauran. “I had ten days with the previous owner to get some training and understand how the company works.” It was a tough transition and the couple messed up every sign they made three times for the first year, she said. Using aspects from all of her classes has helped to make Mustang Signs a successful business. Lauran said, “Everything that I learned in business classes at BYUH has helped me. In a small business you do everything, HR, accounting, marketing and anything else you could imagine. Its all on you.” “Be well rounded. You are the heart and soul of your business. You have to be able to motivate others and lead them,” said Will. He also counseled students to take advantage of all the practical training you can get, go to the conferences, practicums and conferences that the school offers. Lauran added that good social skills are critical to being an entrepreneur. “I never thought I would have to talk to so many people as a business owner. You are the face of your company and have to represent it well in social settings. Practice these skills in your clubs and other activities so you can help grow your company.”Lauran and Will are continuing to create an innovative and cutting edge company. They have turned their business from only signs and graphics to include marketing, branding and consulting as well. We have created a name for ourselves in the region and have gained the trust of companies in the region, said Will. Contact the Wangs or Mustang Signs if you are interested in learning more about their business or interning with their company.

President Henry B. Eyring joined international religious leaders in the Vatican for a colloquium on how men and women compliment each other in marriage on November 17-19.To the religious leaders gathered around him, Pres. Eyring presented “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Of the proclamation, Eyring said, “Those are things people must do for us to have a renaissance of happy marriages and productive families. Such a renaissance will require people to try for the ideal—and to keep trying even when the happy result is slow to come and when loud voices mock the effort. We can and must stand up and defend the institution of marriage between a man and a woman.” Anita Olszowka, an administrative nurse at BYU-Hawaii thought the colloquium provided an ideal setting for religious leaders to get together to discuss families and marriage. “I think it is very important for church leaders to get together with people who think the same as we do, that we have a presence in the world today. Unless we do so, I think we’ll lose the basic concepts of the family and our purpose of being here on the earth. I think, in the world, such is being hidden and overpowered by people who think differently than we do,” said Olszowka. Newly married Nick Grayson, a sophomore in mathematics from Colorado, said, “Marriage gives you a continuous opportunity to serve. There is always someone you know you can do things for to make them feel loved. Marriage in the ideal situation for becoming selfless.” Pres. Eyring emphasized the selfless nature of marriage. “Where there is selfishness, natural differences of men and women often divide. Where there is unselfishness, differences become complementary and provide opportunities to help and build each other. Spouses and family members can lift each other and ascend together if they care more about the interests of the other than their own interests, ” said Eyring. President Henry B. Eyring said that upon meeting his wife-to-be he thought, “If I could only be with her, I could become every good thing I ever wanted to be.” Eyring said, “Most remarkable to me has been the fulfillment of the hope I felt the day I met my wife. I have become a better person as I have loved and lived with her. We have been complementary beyond anything I could have imagined. Her capacity to nurture others grew in me as we became one. My capacity to plan, direct and lead in our family grew in her as we became united in marriage. I realize now that we grew together into one, slowly lifting and shaping each other year after year. As we absorbed strength from each other, it did not diminish our personal gifts. Our differences combined as if they were designed to create a better whole.” Hiryu Shima, a sophomore studying graphic design from Japan, is grateful for eternal marriage. “Eternal marriage is good. I don’t have to feel alone all the time because I know I am with my wife forever,” said Shima.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints blessed its members in Arizona with another temple, as the Phoenix Arizona temple was dedicated on November 16.President Monson, President Uchtdorf, and Elder Kent F. Richards, the executive director of the temple department, joined the members of the Phoenix area for the cornerstone ceremony, signifying the completion of the temple.Elder Richards said the cornerstone ceremony is more symbolic than substantial, the Deseret News reported. “The cornerstone contains a history of the temple’s construction and other significant items. It brings to mind the Savior being the chief cornerstone,” Richards explained.“There is a box and it will contain artifacts and memorabilia that the dedication committee planned and brought together," Richards continued. "On Friday, just two days ago, it was filled symbolically. Yesterday it was put into its place on the southeast corner and it will never be opened."The 27,423 square-foot temple occupies 5.19 acres in a Phoenix suburb, and will serve 60,000 LDS members from 16 stakes in the Phoenix area, according to the Deseret News.The Phoenix Arizona temple is about a one-hour drive from the Mesa Arizona temple. Other Arizona temples are located in Gilbert, Snowflake, and Gila Valley.“It’s amazing that in the last 10 years, 2 more temples have been built that are within an hour drive from my house. I feel so blessed that I can choose which temple to go to, when other people have to drive hours to get to the nearest temple,” said Alyssa Troyanek, a junior majoring in international cultural studies from Arizona.The Phoenix temple is the fifth LDS temple to be dedicated in Arizona, and the 144th temple worldwide. A sixth temple was announced last year to be built in Tucson, Arizona.The temple dedication was preceded by a youth celebration, consisting of LDS youth ages 12-18 from the Phoenix area. The program highlighted the history of the area, with numbers inspired by the Hohokam Native Americans. The program also highlighted Arizona’s five C’s- copper, cotton, cactus, citrus, and climate.After the celebration ended, President Uchtdorf concluded by saying, "You are indeed the strength of the youth. In many ways, you represent even more Cs, whether it's caring, cheerful or courageous, and tonight you are also cool."Carson Booher, a freshman majoring in business from Arizona, had the opportunity to participate in the Gilbert Temple cultural celebration in February of this year. “It was amazing to be in the presence of the prophet,” he said. “After participating in the cultural celebration, I felt unified with the other youth, and the Gilbert temple will always hold a special place in my heart.”Kaitlin Hancock, a freshman majoring in psychology from Arizona, feels the blessings of the temples being built in her home state although she is far away. She said, “I’m so grateful for the many temples being built all over the world. There is a lot of bad in the world today, but with each temple being built, it brings more peace and light, which is something I’m always striving to find.”Ground was broken for the Phoenix temple in June 2011, where Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy presided. At the groundbreaking, he said that the building would be a “beautiful and magnificent temple” and will bless the LDS members and the entire Phoenix community, according to Mormon Newsroom.

The comics industry has been primary a man’s world with few woman characters represented in comics publications like DC Comics and Marvel. “To say the comic book industry has a slight gender skew is like saying Superman is kind of strong,” says Walt Hickey, from ESPN Five Thirty Eight news website. Comic books greatly under-represent women, says Hickey, because the people who are writing, drawing, and publishing comic books are overwhelming men. However, Jenna Busch, founder of comic site Legion of Leia and co-host of an online series “Cocktails” with Stan Lee, with Fox 411, said that stereotype has changed. “There are far more female fans of comics than ever, and we’re far more vocal,” said Busch. While comic books cast their woman in a man’s world, Busch said she has $109,000 worth of proof that woman should and will now have greater rolls in comic books. Fox 411 reports Busch recently was part of a Kickstart campaign for a female-centered comic anthology called “Womanthology.” It was created by women and raised $79,000 more than their $30,000 goal. Busch told Fox 411 more female writers and illustrators are needed in order to bring more realistic female representations to comic books. Busch said she wants DC and Marvel to hire more female writers, “If there are awesome female characters, there is without a doubt going to be more female fans. Make something [women] want to read.”BYU-Hawaii student Anna Hadley, an undecided freshman from Texas, said in response to a have more women-dominated roles in comic books, “All woman want is to be heard and not objectified.”Another BYUH student, Anna Delafuente Rodriguez, an undecided freshman from Maryland, added, “Let what the people have what they want. I want to read a comic book where the woman saves the day. What’s so wrong with that?” Five Thirty Eight reports females make up one in four comic book characters. “Woman have been ignored in comic books for decades and they still don’t bring woman anywhere close to parity,” says information on the site. In response to this disparity, Marvel just published a new series featuring a female Thor and DC Comics upgraded Batgirl’s costume, says Five Thirty Eight. “I think whatever the major comic books try to do, woman will always want more,” said BYUH student Michael Atchely, a sophomore in EXS from Texas. “If woman are choosing to read comics that are predominately male, then they shouldn’t be complaining.”There has been backlash with the push to increase woman’s roles in comic books. Fox 411 reports Marvel published a cover of an almost porn-like portrayal of Spider Woman. Causing social media to stir, Marvel issued a statement apologizing for sending out a message that questioned their gender equality content, reported Fox 411.Creator of Ms. Marvel, G. Willow Wilson, said at this year’s New York Comic Con, “I think we know that things are excellent when we can get at least one female-led comic book title into the top 10, or even the top five, monthly bestselling comic book titles.”

Although the lady Seasiders' volleyball season came to an end sooner than they would have liked against Dixie St., the team finished their regular season home finale with a bang. The BYU-Hawaii Lady Seasiders came out firing at this year’s senior night game vs. in-state rival Hawaii Pacific University jumping out the a 6-3 lead and never looked back as they swept HPU 3-0. It was the last home game for several BYUH seniors and others who are leaving the team. “It is bittersweet playing in my last game here at BYU-Hawaii,” said Stella Chen, a senior social work major from Hong Kong. “I am sad to leave this school but excited to be moving on.” Seniors Ho’onani Apo and Ariel Hsu and sophomores Noel Pauga Wolman and Janelle Fink were also honored at senior night. In the first set, the Lady Seasiders would continue their run taking the first match 25-12. Ariel Hsu would finish the first match with the hot hand recording four kills. The second set started out with teams trading points as neither team could separate from the other until a small run by the Lady Seasiders to take an 11-6 lead. The Lady Seasiders would go on to protect their lead and take the second set 25-19. Chen would finish the set with five kills and five digs.The third set was an even battle between HPU and BYUH as the two teams were tied up at 7 apiece. BYUH would continue to battle winning a long rally to bring the game to a 11-11 tie. BYUH would continue to battle back and regain the lead 20-18. A service error by HPU would give the Lady Seasiders the 23-20 lead as they Lady Seasiders looked to seal the match. A solo block by Chen would close the set and the match 25-23, as the Lady Seasiders swept HPU 3-0. Chen finished the night leading the Lady Seasiders in both kills (13) and digs (16) recording her 16th double-double this season. With the win the Lady Seasiders clinched the PacWest conference championship for the fifth straight year and an invitation to the NCAA Regional tournament. “We are really exciting and confident going into the regional tournament, a lot of the girls have been there before and are hungry to win the national championship this year,” said Assistant Coach Jay Akoi. After the match volleyball player Ariel Hsu was proposed to by her boyfriend, Ethan Tsai. Tsai walked in to the band playing Bruno Mars, “Just the Way You Are,” and a group of well-dressed friends walked in a ring-shaped balloon array. Amidst a throng of onlookers, Tsai got one knee and asked Ariel Hsu to marry him. She agreed and they plan to get married this coming summer.

Bryce Cazier, 21, has surrendered to police after allegedly having a meth lab in his BYU-approved apartment room in Provo, Utah, according to Deseret News.Josh Riboldi, a senior in finance from Provo, Utah, said, “There is a lot more drug busts in Provo than people think. This story doesn’t surprise me at all. Growing up in Provo this was a frequent thing that most people don’t know about.”Deseret News reported that Cazier and his roommates notice smoke coming from his room. Upon entering they found a small fire, which was quickly put out. Cazier left shortly after, locking his room behind him. Cazier’s roommates picked the lock to look at some suspicious items they notices in his room.“Living with random people can be a little risky. You never know what could be going on behind their closed door. This is a great example of that. I would have done the same thing if I were his roommates,” said Sam Muller, a sophomore in business from California.Deseret News reported Cazier has hired an attorney, Jere Reneer, who said his client is someone who likes making his own soap using herbal extracts and “is into making stuff, chemistry, kind of an erector set thing.”Provo Police Sgt. Brandon Post said, “What gives this away that it was a meth lab, is the fact it’s a meth lab. It was not a soap-making operation,” according to Deseret News.John Kaufman, a senior in IDS from Arizona, said, “I think the whole ‘Breaking Bad’ series is what started the meth lab revolution. Before that show meth obviously existed, but it wasn’t portrayed in the lime light like it was in ‘Breaking Bad.’ I don’t know if this kid was influenced by that show or not, but it definitely could be a possibility.”According to KUTV, Renner said, “I can see where it’s a big news story to say ‘meth lab and BYU’ over and over, certainly would pique attention and is perfect for the press. But we just want to bring it back to ground zero, which is there’s due process here.”Cazier is a student at BYU in Provo, Utah. According to his Facebook page he is studying Spanish. Bail for Cazier has been set at $50,000, according to KUTV.

Despite having suffered from unidentified health problems for the past year, BYU-Hawaii student Keola Holt is grateful for life thanks to her friendships and music. Doctors have been unable to find out what has been causing Holt’s sickness. Holt said, “Things got better over the summer because I wasn’t involved in a lot of things so I could take care of myself and rest. It didn’t feel very stressful coming here but I guess something happened. It started getting worse. It was hard to get out of bed and so I couldn’t really make it to class. The doctors did tests on me here and found out that it’s not diabetes. Once again they weren’t able to find out what it was.” Holt, a sophomore from Washington majoring in musical theatre, initially had health problems in high school. “I started noticing some health concerns in my blood sugar towards the end of my senior year in high school. I became really weak and shaky and started to pass out. The doctors couldn’t find out what it was. I had a chest pain, went to the ER and they also couldn’t tell what it was either. It was so frustrating going to all these professionals and having them tell you they don’t know what’s going on.” Though being at college has increased her weakness, Keola said she’s glad she’s in a place like BYUH. “It’s been hard because I like being in class and participating. It takes a toll on me emotionally too, but I’m really glad that this is happening here because in a place like BYUH where the temple is so close it feels easier to have hope. If you try, you can feel the spirit that’s here and it’ll help you change how you see yourself and the world,” said Holt. Holt said she has recognized the hymns’ power in helping her overcome her trials. “I remember one night I was feeling down about everything and wanted to feel closer to the Spirit. I was listening to Vocal Point’s ‘Lead Kindly Night’ and it was amazing. My mom called me and said I should listen to ‘How Firm a Foundation’ and I cried. That might seem typical because they’re both hymns but I think that means they bring something with them.” Zoe Oswald, a freshmen from Colorado studying art education, said Keola’s determination has impacted her own life positively. “She doesn’t give up. It may not seem like it when you first meet her, but she will fight until the end. She seems very mellow at first but she is a fighter. She will fight for what she believes and for the people she believes in.” Despite her sickness, Holt has decided to serve a mission. Holt will be serving in the Panama City Panama mission, Spanish speaking. Holt will be entering the Provo MTC on Feb. 4, 2015. Holt’s close friend Garrett Jensen, a freshmen from Oregon majoring in ICS, said his deep conversations with Holt reveal her positive nature. “I think what I’ve learned is that she can find joy in anything because we talk about such a wide variety of subjects. Her biggest strength is she looks forward. She has things to focus on other than frequent doctor visits.”

Making momma proud, local boy DonEliezer Baize was named the brightest middle school student in the world by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth this year.“It’s what every mom wants for their kid, to see them achieving their potential. He’s been taking college entrance exams since he was in fifth grade and so he’s had his goals in mind ever since. I am just grateful that his hard work really paid off,” said Lizette Baize, mother of DonEliezer. DonEli, as the family calls him was gifted from a young age. His father, local ophthalmologist, Dr. Kevin Baize, started his son in academic-vision therapy and exhibited great responsive skills through this program, which he started at age 5. Not only is DonEli one of the brightest young minds in the world, he’s also a sweetheart, said Alyssa Walhood, a senior in English from Oregon, who worked at his parents’ office next to Laie Palms Theater last year. “He’s always smiling, greeting people, and always joking around, then he turns around and smokes the ACT. He’s a really good kid with a lot of potential.” DonEli shared with Khon2 News his hopes to make Hawaii a better place and expressed his dream of constructing better computers. He also plans to attend the California Institute of Technology to pursue a career in electrical engineering. “At the awards ceremony I heard someone whisper about my son, ‘That kid’s gonna go far,’” said Baize. His mother laughed as she described DonEli’s performance on stage when he received his award where he managed to throw the shaka as the photographer snapped his photo. Baize smiled as she said, “This kid’s got the whole package. He is so fun and I’ve really enjoyed raising him into this young man.”After a nearly perfect score on the ACT, it’s no wonder DonEli’s parents are proud. They are also proud of their other children, Mandy, who recently married, and Kevin Jr., who just left to serve in the Indonesia, Jakarta Mission, and who were both skilled in math and science. Baize said she strongly enforced math and science in her home. According to Khon2 news, Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth recognizes students under the age of 13 who achieve a score of 700 or higher on the ACT. Of the invited students, at least 85 students achieved a perfect score on the reading or math section of the test taken. Elaine Tuttle Hansen, executive director of CTY, said, “We are so pleased to take a moment to recognize these academically talented students for their remarkable achievements, and to honor the parents and educators who have guided them along the way.”

Critics of Black Friday shopping speculate pushing stores to open the morning of Thanksgiving will ruin the spirit of the holiday. Shopping centers all across Oahu are pairing up with local news sources to announce even earlier store openings than last year.Jaime Apiatu, a junior from Washington D.C., said, “I’m not an avid shopper, but I know people who are, and when Black Friday hits, they are completely different people.” Apiatu explained his love from Thanksgiving came from large family gatherings every year and “feeling the love” from all around. “Capitalism and our incessant need for the ‘next big thing’ is threatening this feeling,” Apiatu said.According to media analyst, Megan Marsden Christensen, shoppers can already preview “Black Friday” deals and some won’t even have to leave their homes to shop. “On Thanksgiving morning, Walmart customers will be able to purchase select items without leaving their house,” Christensen reported.It’s not just this year that attention is being given to the increasing in material consumption. Last year, UPS reports asking major online retail companies like Amazon, Ebay, etc. to “not make the mistake of offering free overnight shipping as late as Dec. 23rd.” Though this promise increased sales, “carriers just cannot deliver every late and procrastinated purchase,” explained the UPS official report.Time Magazine explains it’s not the corporation’s fault Thanksgiving is being ruined by Christmas shopping, “our shop-anytime-anywhere culture demands it.” Big department stores have no option but to open earlier to combat the competition. Masses of otherwise avid Black Friday Shoppers denounced earlier store openings despite the fact it is what they demanded themselves.Staying open for 24 hours straight also calls into question the ethics of Black Friday. Last holiday season, word leaked that Macy’s issued a poll amongst employees to see if they would be willing to work starting at 7:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, while also implicitly stating they might be called in to work whether they put down yes or no on their poll.This Black Friday brings to light the backdoor happenings of the corporation-stricken population in America today. Rachel Leota, a freshman majoring in English, said, “Whether or not I wait in line the night before or early in the morning on Friday, Thanksgiving still warmed me up better than a hot deal at a department store.”