Alexa Poage

Hello, everyone. It is an honor to speak in front of you today. I want to start by saying a huge congratulations to all the graduates.

Getting a degree is no small feat, and each one of you should be proud of yourselves.

Between countless late-night study groups, challenging exams and perhaps even a few unexpected detours, we now can celebrate this milestone knowing that the hard work has paid off. I also want to take a moment to recognize our friends, family and faculty who are here today. We owe so much of our success to you, and we could not have done it without your support.

I personally want to thank my mom, Stacey, my dad, Stuart, and my brother, Ryan. You have been there for me through it all, and I would not be here today without you. 

And now, graduates, as I stand before you, I would like to share two pieces of advice that I hope will be valuable as we begin this exciting new phase of life. 

First, never take anything for granted.

Too often, we spend our days on autopilot just simply going through the motions, completely unaware of the present moment.

We tend to focus only on what we lack, rather than appreciate what we have. We constantly overanalyze what has gone wrong instead of what has gone right. Because of this, let us strive for a more aware and appreciative way of living. 

For example, if you woke up today and could see, hear or walk, that is something to celebrate. If you have access to food, shelter or transportation, that is something to be thankful for. While these aspects of life may seem trivial, they are not always a given.

For this reason, graduates, in the midst of today’s celebration, be sure to value your degree. Use it well, do not let it go to waste and be excited about the opportunities it will bring. Let it ultimately be the foundation upon which you build a meaningful and impactful life. After all, you put in all this hard work, so do not let your education be taken for granted.

Next, the second, and equally important piece of advice: take the road less traveled by. In other words, instead of conforming, you have the right to choose your own path, even if it is different from what society expects. Life is too short to take a boring, conventional route that just follows what everyone else is doing.

To really thrive, we must have the courage to discover our true selves and forge a path that reflects that. So, graduates, learn to embrace the risks and live outside your comfort zone. It will be scary, but trust that the rewards are vastly beyond what we could ever imagine. Whether it is applying for that big job, moving to a newcity or starting a hobby, be sure to pursue something uniquely your own. We are Comets after all, and no Comet ever takes the same path.

Also remind yourselves that while the road less traveled is not often easy, it is always worth it. As Robert Frost put it, “Two roads diverged in a wood and I — I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” 

With that being said, I want to again commend all the graduates here today. Take a moment to recognize that not everyone stands where you are. Be proud of what you’ve achieved and look toward the future with joy. You all have so much to offer the world, so I am excited to see what everyone accomplishes. And of course, do not take for granted the life ahead of you and embrace the road less traveled by. 

Thank you. 

Alexa Poage is graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in criminology. Poage has been recognized with several honors, including the dean’s list, the McLovin Scholarship, the Academic Excellence Scholarship and Phi Kappa Phi membership. She was a member of UTD’s women’s soccer team for three years and was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society. Poage has explored her interest in criminal justice through hands-on experiences, including an internship with the Frisco Police Department and her work on a UTD research project analyzing political data donation behavior. She also connected with the campus community through the True Criminology Association. After graduation, Poage will pursue a master’s in criminology, building on her strong foundation and passion for justice.