When Jace Antenorcruz tossed his graduation cards into the mail, he wasn’t just celebrating a degree—he was secretly hoping for a little magic in return. What he got instead? A tidal wave of swag, autographs, and heartwarming replies that turned his mailbox into a treasure chest.
The Texas State University grad drew inspiration from an unlikely source: wedding invitations. “I’ve always liked the idea of getting free stuff and I’ve seen a lot of trends where people send off their wedding invites,” Antenorcruz said. After studying corporate addresses and celebrity headquarters, he mailed 18 to 20 personalized cards, each tailored to the recipient. The front featured his name and graduation details, while the back carried heartfelt messages. “I wrote each company and each celebrity a personal note,” he said.
I took the time to write what I liked about the company and what I appreciated from the celebrity.”
Responses rolled in slowly, starting with a congratulatory letter from In-N-Out Burger. But Chick-fil-A stole the show with a gift box so generous it sparked a viral TikTok. “I told Chick-fil-A that they’ve always fed me throughout college and had an impact in my life overall,” Antenorcruz said.
Jace Antenocruz received a graduation gift from Chick-fil-A. Photo from TikTok
The chain’s goodies weren’t alone — Lego sent a free set, Adam Sandler and Michael Jordan mailed autographed photos, and Shaquille O’Neal joined the fan club. Yet it was the San Antonio Spurs’ reply that encapsulated the charm of Antenorcruz’s experiment.
The team sent a letter, keychain, pennant, and magnet, writing, “Spurs Sports and Entertainment would like to congratulate you on your graduation. Your accomplishment for an education never go unnoticed. As part of the Spurs family, we want to wish you well in all your future endeavors. We hope you enjoy the mementos enclosed for you as a token of our appreciation.”
Jace Antenocruz TikTok showing a Shaq pic. Photo from TikTok
The grad’s haul became a social media sensation, inspiring others to try their luck. “I hope I was able to spread some positivity throughout my platform as much,” Antenorcruz said. He even crafted a tutorial for fans, advising, “Just do it. Trust your gut and overall hope for the best and really just have a lot of confidence and faith in yourself.”
After all, just taking a little bit of initiative as Antenorcruz showed, highlights how much you can gain in return. A good lesson for this newly-graduated adult heading out into the world.
@jaceantenorcruzHad this saved in my drafts for a couple of months.♬ Daylight – Gakuen
