Preston’s Graduation Weekend Arrives With Pride, Joy, and Boomer Sooner Spirit After Four Incredible Years at the University of Oklahoma

Preston’s graduation weekend is officially here — a moment that has lived in our dreams, in our hearts, and in the steady rhythm of a father’s fingertips gently drumming “Boomer Sooner” on a baby bump years ago. What was once a hope, a whispered prayer, a family tradition waiting to bloom has now arrived in full, brilliant color. This Saturday, the moment finally becomes real. Preston walks across that stage, diploma in hand, with the full weight of four years of love, growth, and triumph behind him.

It’s surreal, this weekend. Emotional in ways we couldn’t quite imagine, though we always knew it would be powerful. For years, we watched Preston grow—not just in height, not just in skill, but in heart, in presence, in conviction. As a child, he soaked up the sights and sounds of Oklahoma football and the Pride of Oklahoma, the state’s beloved marching band. As a teen, his eyes lit up when he talked about snare lines and cadence patterns. And when the time came for him to choose where he’d go to school, there was never any real question. Norman was always the destination. The University of Oklahoma was always the dream.

Now that dream is realized, and we’re left in awe.

From the moment he arrived on campus, Preston poured his full heart into being a Sooner. And it wasn’t just about being a fan in the stands — though no one cheered louder, no one knew more about the rivalries, the records, or the marching band’s setlists. It was deeper than that. Preston became a part of the rhythm of the university itself. He didn’t simply attend OU. He lived it. He was it.

He committed himself fully to The Pride of Oklahoma, OU’s iconic marching band. From long, sweltering days at band camp to pre-dawn rehearsals and high-pressure game day performances, Preston gave his all. He didn’t just want to be good; he wanted to lead. And that’s exactly what he did.

Through four years in the Pride and the Percussion Studio, Preston stood tall not only as a skilled and passionate musician but also as a leader, a mentor, and a dependable presence his fellow students looked up to. Whether it was behind the snare drum or in quiet moments of encouragement between performances, Preston led with grace and strength. He held high standards for himself, and by doing so, he inspired those around him to rise to theirs.

He became known for his work ethic, for his discipline, and for his love of all things OU. His section became his second family. And with that family, he made memories that will live in laughter and late-night chats, in long bus rides to away games, in every drumline warm-up that started with a beat and ended in brotherhood. He found his people. He found his place.

And through all of it, his love for Oklahoma — and his hatred of “texass” — never wavered. That rivalry burned bright in him. It was part of what drove him, what kept him pushing. OU wasn’t just his school; it was his identity. He took pride in it. He lived every part of the Sooner experience with unmatched passion, from the fight songs to the traditions, from the stadium tunnels to the calm of the practice rooms.

But what we’re most proud of—what stands out above the honors and the accolades—is who Preston has become in character. Through the highs and lows, he never lost his sense of humor. He remained an encourager, a friend, a force of kindness and positivity. His peers knew that if they needed support, if they needed someone to lean on, Preston would be there. He lifted people. That’s what true leaders do. And he did it without ever needing the spotlight.

Looking back, it’s easy to connect the dots, to see how the seeds planted in childhood—watching OU football with his dad, marching in high school band competitions, talking endlessly about drum corps and rhythm theory—grew into something real, something lasting. But it still doesn’t make it any less incredible to witness. He didn’t just follow a path. He carved one. And he did it with courage and conviction.

There were challenges along the way, of course. No college experience is ever perfect. There were late nights, early mornings, long rehearsals, tough exams, moments of doubt. But Preston never gave up. He never let the hard days define him. He just kept going. And that perseverance has brought him here — to a weekend of celebration, of reflection, of gratitude.

As we gather in Norman to honor him, we’re flooded with memories. We remember the nervous excitement of move-in day. We remember our first time watching him march in the Pride during halftime, tears in our eyes as we realized that this wasn’t a dream anymore — it was his life. We remember the photos, the performances, the proud texts he sent after nailing a solo or helping a friend through a rough patch.

We also remember the conversations — the ones where he told us about his dreams, about the professors who believed in him, about the projects he was passionate about. We remember the joy in his voice when he talked about performing on Owen Field, about what it meant to be part of a legacy so much bigger than himself.

Now he steps into a new chapter. The band uniform will be hung up. The drum mallets packed away. But the spirit of all he’s accomplished here will never leave him. It’s in every fiber of his being now — the discipline, the pride, the connection to a community that helped shape him into the man he is.

As parents, we couldn’t be more thankful. Not just thankful that he got through these four years — though we are — but thankful for the person he has become. Preston is thoughtful, brave, loyal, and deeply committed to doing things the right way. He honors tradition, but he also embraces progress. He cares deeply, and he acts with intention. Those qualities will carry him far, wherever life leads next.

Saturday will be a celebration of everything Preston has earned and everything he is. It will be a day filled with emotion — the joy of seeing him in his cap and gown, the pride in watching him walk across the stage, the bittersweet ache of knowing this chapter is closing. We’ll hug him tighter than we ever have before. We’ll laugh and cry and take too many pictures. And through it all, we’ll hold onto one truth: this is the moment we dreamed of.

The little boy who listened to “Boomer Sooner” in the womb has become a man worthy of every note in that song. He is the heartbeat of what makes Oklahoma great — talent, resilience, loyalty, and pride.

Preston, we love you. We are in awe of you. We are grateful beyond words for the journey you’ve taken us on. And now, as you step boldly into your next adventure, know this: you carry the hopes and hearts of everyone who’s ever cheered you on. The Pride of Oklahoma will always be part of you, just as you’ll always be part of it.

Graduation isn’t the end — it’s the crescendo. And we’re honored to witness it. Boomer Sooner, son. Always.