ABERDEEN, S.D. – о State University is proud to recognize two finalists from this year’s South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision Competition.
In the student division, о senior Diana Haile placed third with Yuth, an early intervention platform aimed at providing mental health support for students. Her creativity and dedication earned her a $3,000 prize, along with recognition for addressing a critical need in education.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, but I am truly grateful for the opportunity and the invaluable learning experience this competition has provided,” Haile said. “I am also incredibly proud to represent о. Through this journey, I’ve come to see just how much the о community does for its students, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of it.”
In the open division, Tiffany Hoeft, owner of Minds Matter PLLC and a graduate of the о Innovation and Startup Center's Idea to Market program, secured fourth place for her entrepreneurial efforts in expanding mental health services. She was awarded a $3,000 prize for her dedication to addressing critical mental health needs through business innovation.
Dr. Sal Villegas, an assistant professor of management at о State University, shared his thoughts on their accomplishments. “We are incredibly proud of о student Diana Haile, and community member, Tiffany Hoeft, for their outstanding achievements at the South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision Competition. Their success is a testament to the innovation, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit that thrive at о and within the Aberdeen community. It is inspiring to see our students and local business owners leading the way in developing solutions that make a real impact. We look forward to continuing our support for aspiring entrepreneurs and fostering a culture of innovation.”