Leonard Ayala

Thank you, Dr. Arce. I am humbled to have the opportunity to address the students, faculty, families and friends who are joining us here today to celebrate this special moment.

Firstly, I would like to say thank you to those who supported me throughout my journey. I certainly would not be standing here today were it not for your support.

My dad really wanted to be here today. He was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in March and was notified that he only had a few months left to live. It was his goal to hang on until December so that he could watch me walk. So, whenever he would have his bad days, I would say, “Just hang in there, my graduation is right around the corner,” as if this artificial date would prolong his life somehow, and maybe it did. Maybe it gave us a few more weeks together. Unfortunately, he passed away in September. He would always tell people I was his pride and joy. This is for you, Pops.

For me, it feels quite surreal to be standing here. In 2017, I started experiencing a number of health issues. I ultimately wound up in a wheelchair for about three years and was forced to withdraw from school. It was a very difficult period for me, to say the least, emotionally and physically. I was not sure I would ever finish my undergraduate degree, let alone my master’s. I was in pain every day, and I still am. I had to relearn to walk. I had to learn to rediscover joy.

But I persevered. Day by day, I just never stopped trying. And I cannot give enough credit to the people who supported me. This includes my family, my wonderful friends, the UT Dallas community, the organizations I joined and the faculty who really worked with me.

Shoutout to the SPYCD dance club, which had me dancing like “Happy Feet” every week.

Despite all the adversity, I am here on this stage about to graduate. I have blossomed into a stronger and fuller person because of it, ready to face whatever comes next. All of us graduating here today are here despite the adversity we faced and overcame. We are stronger for it.

I invite you to reflect on that journey. This includes the pandemic and the bizarre educational experience that came with it. The all-nighters. Finals. Eccentric professors.

Reflect on those precious moments, too, those that brought you pride, joy and laughter. Reflect on your growth. And most importantly, reflect on those who supported and uplifted you.

Despite our daily battles, we persevered, and now we are all joined here together today to celebrate the closing of one chapter in our lives and the beginning of another.

To all the students, never stop dreaming, and never stop fighting. And don’t forget to show gratitude to yourself and to those who share in your journey. And of course, congratulations.

Thank you.

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Leonard Ayala started his freshman year at UT Dallas in 2015 as a Gates Scholar from El Paso, Texas. In 2018, he was named an Archer Fellow and went to Washington, D.C., to intern for the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. He later worked for the Institute for Urban Policy Research, where he helped evaluate the impact of eviction policies on tenants in Dallas County. After earning his Bachelor of Science in economics (summa cum laude and with a perfect grade-point average), he went on to work for the Texas Tenants Union, where he helped develop housing policy recommendations for the use of coronavirus recovery funds. Earlier this year, he served as a housing intern for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C. He also sings opera in his spare time, founded the Opera Club at UT Dallas and played the lead in Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” on campus.