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Go confidently toward your dreams

Commencement speech delivered Aug. 8, 2008
by Ruth Correa
B.A. 2008 International Studies

Ruth Correa

Welcome! ¡Bienvenidos! Graduates, family, friends, faculty, and staff. Class of 2008, take a minute to look around. Go ahead, wave at your mom. Finish sending that text message, and ladies, adjust your feet in your high heels. Now.

Take a deep breath. After years of dragging yourself out of bed, worrying about tuition, all-nighters at the library, panic calls to your loved ones, coffee by the gallons, you’re here. You know what I am talking about: 15-page papers, three-hour labs, countless e-mails to your professors, and yes, doing your best not to fall while riding the tram. You’re here, moments away from graduating! Class of 2008, give yourself a big round of applause. You deserve it!

Now, what comes next? For some of us, it’s starting a new job. For some, it’s continuing your education, and for others it may be just a long-awaited vacation. Whatever is next, don’t forget the goals you have set for yourself. Thoreau once said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you have imagined.” Think back to when you were a kid, when everything seemed so clear. What did you want to be when you grew up? Police officer, teacher, firefighter, Superman? I personally wanted to be a doctor, but after my first biology class, I was done.

Well you’ve grown up and, as time went by, your dreams of what you wanted to be probably changed. But what hasn’t changed is your dedication and ambition to be something more, to succeed, to graduate into something great. Your ambition and dedication are what have brought you here today. Even though sometimes it was hard making it to class or taking time to study, you did it. You’re here! You have accomplished one of your dreams: to graduate.

Class of 2008, don’t stop here. At Texas State you have created for yourself a portfolio of skills that will enable you to accomplish your ambitions. In and out of the classroom at Texas State, you have learned academic and life lessons that will serve you a lifetime. You have the tools to make your aspirations a reality. Remember that doors will open for you and some will close, but that shouldn’t deter you, because you know you have the will and the tools to create the future you have always wanted. So, be confident in your knowledge, trust in the lessons you have learned, and thank the people who helped you along the way. For me it, was my mom, Raquel Correa, who comforted me when I panicked, always had my favorite meals when I came home, and managed to slip money into my account when she had the chance.

So, once again, go confidently in the direction of your dreams, Class of 2008, live the life you have imagined.