Fall 2025 valedictorian Manuarii Tefan reflects on mentorship, initiative and the power of gratitude that shaped his BYU–Hawaii journey
“Giving makes space for heaven’s blessings,” said Manuarii Tefan from Tahiti. “When you give without expecting anything in return, opportunities naturally come to you.” These words capture the journey of Tefan, fall 2025 valedictorian and commencement speaker at BYU–Hawaii. Majoring in business management with a marketing emphasis, he said his experience at BYU–Hawaii has been defined by initiative, mentorship, and the courage to pursue opportunities—choices that ultimately shaped his academic, personal and professional life.
Seizing Opportunities: Becoming “Unequal”
Tefan’s defining moment at BYU–Hawaii occurred during a Saturday afternoon presentation in Heber J. Grant Building room 275, he recalled. The event, he shared, was led by a business professor. “He began with an invitation for students to introduce themselves. Public speaking can be daunting, and at first, few volunteered. When a student finally raised his hand, the professor handed him a $2 bill and said, ‘Everyone here had the same opportunity to earn this $2 bill. Anyone could have raised their hand—but only one person did,” Tefan shared.
The professor then added a line that profoundly influenced Tefan, he shared. “Everyone has the equal opportunity to become unequal,” the professor said.
“That one line changed everything for me,” Tefan shared. “I decided I wanted to become ‘unequal’—to take opportunities that others might shy away from.”
From that day forward, Tefan said he adopted a proactive approach to his education and growth. Each semester, he said, he made it a point to knock on his professors’ doors, introduce himself, and build genuine relationships. This determination, he said, led him to travel to six countries—Vietnam, China, Korea, Kiribati, Japan, and the U.S. gaining a global perspective on business and culture.
“All of that happened because I started knocking on doors,” Tefan explained. “Opportunities don’t come to you by accident. You have to go after them.”
Advice for Freshmen: Embrace Every Opportunity
When asked what he would tell incoming students, Tefan emphasized the importance of initiative and gratitude. “My biggest takeaway—and what I hope freshmen learn—is that everyone has the opportunity to pursue opportunities, but it is completely up to the student to step up and take them,” he said.
He highlighted the unique nature of BYU–Hawaii’s faculty. “Many professors are not here for money or career advancement. They already have successful businesses or careers outside of school. They’re here because they genuinely want to help students. Take advantage of the people who are here and willing to help you,” Tefan advised.
He also shared how small gestures of gratitude can lead to unexpected opportunities. “I always wrote thank-you letters to my professors, just to show appreciation,” he said. That simple act got noticed, he added, and one of his professors connected him to a woman who organized $100 million charity events featuring artists like Beyoncé, Blackpink, and Ed Sheeran. “That all started with a thank-you note,” he said.
The Hardest Lessons: Discipline and Accountability
Tefan reflected on the challenges of maintaining consistency and discipline.
“The hardest lesson I’ve learned is that if you don’t continually put in effort, doors will not open—or they’ll open very rarely,” he explained. “Some people might say, ‘You’re just lucky,’ or ‘You’re the favorite.’ But the only difference is that I knock on the door, and they don’t. Personal accountability changes everything. Once you stop blaming others, life starts to change.”
He cited a powerful lesson from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “You can’t have a million-dollar experience with 50 cents’ worth of effort.”
Global Perspective and Multicultural Growth
Although Tefan grew up in Tahiti, he said he believed he already had a sense of diversity, having lived in different regions and cultures. BYU–Hawaii, however, introduced him to a level of multicultural interaction he had never experienced before, he said.
“Being here, I met students from the Pacific Islands, Asia, South America, and beyond,” Tefan said. “It broadened my perspective and helped me understand what truly matters: family values, helping others, taking care of people and striving for a better life.”
His exposure to cultural differences also prepared him professionally, he said. “I plan to go to Korea after graduation, and having a Korean roommate who helps me with cultural understanding has been an incredible blessing,” Tefan shared.
Mentors Who Made a Difference
Tefan credited two professors, PJ Rogers and Jeff Christensen, for significantly impacting his life.
“They have done everything they could to support me, connect me with opportunities, and push me to grow,” he said. “They completely changed my life on campus, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their guidance.”
He emphasized the importance of taking advice and mentorship seriously. “These professors taught me not only business and marketing concepts but also life skills: persistence, networking, and the courage to ask for guidance. Their influence cannot be overstated.”
Tefan also shared some of the tangible outcomes of his proactive approach. He said he was involved in projects that connected him with industry professionals in music and entertainment, and even had his work featured in international forums. “One project I worked on, through the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program, ended up being part of an international initiative,” Tefan noted. “It was incredible to know that something I created could be shared in a larger space.”
Philosophy on Giving and Gratitude
Central to Tefan’s philosophy is the act of giving, he said. “When you give without expecting anything in return, opportunities naturally come to you,” he reiterated. This approach shaped his relationships and success, emphasizing that genuine acts of kindness and appreciation often open doors.
“Being genuine and grateful creates a ripple effect,” he explained. “You start to see that doors open in ways you never imagined, and not just for yourself but for others as well.”
Reflecting on his years at BYU–Hawaii, Tefan distilled his advice for fellow graduates into a single principle: “Giving makes space for heaven’s blessings. When you give without expecting anything in return, you’ll create opportunities not only for yourself but for others as well.”
