Canyon Challenge, spring 2026

By Ralph Freso

Students competed for $6,500 in cash prizes at Friday's Canyon Challenge in Sunset Auditorium. Caleb Manzari, founder of Vinylessence, was named the Canyon Challenge winner. Story

  • IDEA Club President Ian Miller and Vice President Lily Courteau welcome students, faculty and guests to the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Tim Kelley, IDEA Club advisor, talks about the student finalists during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Sam Otto presents “Bysamotto” during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Luke Manzari shows the judges a prototype of brother Caleb Manzari’s Vinylessence LED record slipmat during the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Caleb Manzari holds a collectable clear vinyl album as he pitches his Vinylessence LED record slipmat during the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Judges (from left) Jim Murphy, Nate Randleman, Kyle Brown and Darian Harris listen as students pitch their products during the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Caleb Manzari pitches his Vinylessence LED record slipmat during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Joy Henning presents her BrushCap product during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • A student displays Joy Henning’s product, BrushCap, during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Judge Nate Randleman looks over a sample of Joy Henning’s BrushCap product during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Judges ask about Joy Henning’s BrushCap product during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Finalist Cole Sims greets the judges as he makes his way to the stage during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Cole Sims pitches his Street Track Racing liquid-cooled Thermoride leather motorcycle jacket during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Judge Darian Harris directs a question to a student finalist during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Cole Sims answers questions from the judges about his Street Track Racing liquid-cooled Thermoride leather motorcycle jacket during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Walker Wood pitches his Roster dating app during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Walker Wood presents his Roster dating app to Canyon Challenge judges. April 10, 2026.
  • Walker Wood pitches his Roster dating app during the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Walker Wood pitches his Roster dating app during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • College of Business professor Chris D’Adamo and IDEA Club advisor Tim Kelley (from left) applaud student Canyon Challenge finalists. April 10, 2026.
  • IDEA Club social media marketing executive Ethan Hawes encourages the crowd to vote for the People's Choice winner on their phone during the judging period of the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Walker Wood, IDEA Club Marketplace strategy and operations manager, presents Maria Sartin with a Noggin Boss IDEA Club 25K hat for her sales in the student markets. April 10, 2026.
  • A student is presented with a Noggin Boss IDEA Club 25K hat for her sales in the Marketplace student markets during the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Will Miller, founder of Willy’s Pizza, is presented the Mentor of the Year award during the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Cole Sims (left) is presented with the LUX Manufacturing award by LUX board member Jim Murphy during the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Joy Henning receives a third-place check for her BrushCap product during the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Sam Otto is congratulated for his second-place win in the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Caleb Manzari receives his first-place check after winning the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Third-place winner Joy Henning, first-place winner Caleb Manzari and second-place winner Sam Otto (from left) during the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Caleb Manzari won first place for his Vinylessence LED record slipmat during the Canyon Challenge. April 10, 2026.
  • Caleb Manzari (left) is congratulated by IDEA Club president Ian Miller after winning the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.
  • Caleb Manzari won first place for his Vinylessence LED record turntable slipmat during the Canyon Challenge at Sunset Auditorium. April 10, 2026.

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GCU Magazine

ViewCurrent March 2026

Bible Verse

This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe Him. If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:6-7)

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