Today is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a celebration of dreams realized, effort rewarded, and futures embraced. It’s Decision Day—and I couldn’t be prouder to announce that my daughter, Brea Simone Houston, is officially a Georgia Bulldog.
As a parent, you spend years nurturing, guiding, and preparing your child for the moment when they step out into the world to begin shaping their own legacy. That moment is here. Today, Brea isn’t just selecting a college—she’s declaring her identity, aligning with a community, and joining a proud tradition of excellence that defines the University of Georgia.
Brea’s path to Athens wasn’t about a single application or a moment of spontaneous inspiration. It was a journey built on years of academic discipline, personal resilience, and quiet determination. From the very first time she sat at the kitchen table solving math problems to the countless late nights she stayed up perfecting essays, Brea has always shown a level of drive that made it clear—she was bound for something big.
And now, we know where that “something big” begins.
For Brea, the University of Georgia wasn’t just another school on a list—it was the one. During our campus visit, I saw a glow in her eyes I hadn’t seen anywhere else. She marveled at the sprawling lawns of North Campus, admired the rich history in every brick of Old College, and imagined herself walking across the iconic Arch as a student, not just a visitor.
She connected with the spirit of Georgia, not just for its academics or athletics, but for its sense of community. She felt at home, and as a parent, there’s no greater comfort than knowing your child has found a place where they will not only grow—but thrive.
Brea’s academic record speaks for itself. She’s been a standout scholar from day one—AP classes, Honor Roll, National Honor Society. But it’s not just the grades that define her. It’s the passion with which she approaches learning. Whether it was leading her debate team, tutoring her peers in chemistry, or organizing student government initiatives, Brea has always carried herself with quiet leadership and fierce dedication.
At Georgia, she plans to major in Biological Sciences, with the long-term goal of pursuing a career in medicine. She’s talked about becoming a pediatrician, motivated by a heart full of compassion and a desire to bring comfort to children in their most vulnerable moments. I have no doubt she’ll do just that—and more.
What’s funny is that Brea has had a little bit of that Bulldog spirit in her all along. She’s tough when it matters, loyal to her friends and family, and never afraid to chase what she believes in. Like UGA’s beloved mascot, Brea has a quiet toughness and unwavering pride in her identity. She’s not loud about it, but she’ll stand her ground, support her team, and wear her colors with honor.
Georgia isn’t just gaining a student—they’re gaining a force of nature.
Today is also a milestone for our entire family. This moment represents years of support, sacrifice, and shared effort. The late-night study sessions, the rides to SAT prep, the pep talks after tough exams—all of it led to this. And while this chapter is Brea’s to write, it belongs to all of us in some way.
As her parent, I’ve watched her grow from a bright-eyed little girl with a backpack too big for her shoulders into a poised young woman who walks with purpose. She’s the kind of person who holds herself to the highest standards, yet never forgets to lift others up along the way.
I’ve seen her triumph. I’ve seen her stumble and get right back up. And now, I see her ready—ready to soar.
None of this happened in a vacuum. Today is also a day to say thank you—to the teachers who challenged her, the mentors who believed in her, the friends who encouraged her, and the community that embraced her. You all played a role in shaping who Brea is today, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.
To every counselor who spent the extra few minutes reviewing applications, to every coach who reminded her of her strength, and to every peer who laughed, cried, or studied beside her—thank you.
The road to Athens may have started with hope, but now it continues with confidence. Brea will step into classrooms that push her to think critically, collaborate with some of the brightest young minds in the country, and find her place in one of the most dynamic student communities in America.
She’ll paint her face red and black on Saturdays, join study groups in the MLC, grab coffee at Jittery Joe’s, and probably stress a little too much during finals—but she’ll grow. She’ll transform.
And one day, just a few years from now, she’ll walk across that stage at Stegeman Coliseum, diploma in hand, ready to enter the world as a University of Georgia alumna. I can already picture it—and I know she’ll be ready.
To Brea Simone Houston—my daughter, my pride, my joy:
This is your moment.
You earned this not by chance, but by sheer will. You are walking into a new chapter of your life with the tools to succeed and the heart to make a difference. Always remember who you are and where you came from. Know that you carry the hopes of everyone who ever believed in you.
Wear that red and black with pride. Hold your head high under those Athens skies. And when the challenges come—and they will—stand firm. You were made for this.
Being a Bulldog is about more than just where you go to school—it’s about grit, grace, and the unbreakable spirit that comes with being part of something greater than yourself. You already embody that spirit.
