Commencement '25

By Zion Banks, Editor

Paul Tucker earned his bachelor's degree in English from Governors State University (GovState) in 2023 and is currently pursuing his master's in English. He's also the Editor-in-Chief for Reconstructed, a student club for creative writing and visual art.

When creating a free verse, short line poem to 2025 graduates, Paul said that the style of writing—cutting off a line or starting it with a lowercase word—adds emphasis. To write the poem, he reflected on the mixed feelings, not just joy, graduating can inspire.

“Sometimes it’s about the hardships as well. We know this has not been an easy road, it takes time to recognize how far you’ve come and you are only going to go farther.”

When you walk the stage,

shake the hand

and smile for the picture

the nights of contemplation,

reading, testing, stressing,

perseverance and

shortened sleep will be

remembered

and recognized.

A celebration for the classes 

you excelled in, tests you

aced, clubs you ran,

life you balanced,

people you’ve met,

impacted, and loved.

It will be for 

your family,

friends, shoulders 

you cried on,

bodies you leaned on,

those who supported

endlessly.

But most importantly,

it will be for you.

It will be for your future.

So, after you grab

that diploma, and your 

cap gets tossed in the 

joy-filled, electric

with excitement air,  

keep your fervor.

Let your learning live long,

be who you are meant 

to be. Take pride

in all you’ve done,

are doing, and will do.

You are amazing, you

will go far, you are 

a jaguar.