Dear University of Central Florida,
This is so bittersweet. Originally, I never wanted to come here, never gave this place a moment of consideration. My plans didn’t come to fruition and I ended up here, and Lord knows how glad I am that I did. You accepted a naive hometown kid that was on top of the world, confidence through the roof, with the world all figured out ready to make his mark somewhere foreign. The disgruntled feeling I came in with as an incoming freshman is no more. All I can express is gratitude.
From playing flag football for 4 years with the people that first took me in, to joining my first E-Board with some of the most prominent men I’ve had the privilege of knowing, to becoming a president of an organization and having that responsibility and understanding that people count on my best efforts, to eventually convincing myself to do a pageant with people I would do anything for. The people I’ve met here shaped me into a man that 17 year old me couldn’t recognize. All of the adversity, disappointment, and pain can’t compare to the triumph, laughs, and smiles that I was blessed to experience here. To those I call my friends and family, I love you deeply from the bottom of my heart with all of my being, you were all a significant piece to my character development. ❤️🔥
In 2 days, this beautiful journey is all over, but the memories I have, I hold dear to my heart. Thank you for being my second family, thank you for accepting me, thank you for developing me, thank you for challenging me. My thanks will never be enough for what you guys poured into me.
Lastly, to my family, you guys were my rock that never wavered, any time I needed y’all, y’all came through and then some. I love you guys. I’m not here without you, every thing I choose to place myself in is a direct representation of the great work you guys did raising me into the man I am today and still becoming.
Job is not finished however, I have more to pursue, more to accomplish. This chapter is closed, but I’m already in the midst of writing the next one.
With gratitude,
Mekhai Ryan
B.S. Psychology and Neuroscience
Minor in Biology
📸:
@_dxrrick.j @_two4media 
