Graduate’s Cards to Celebs and Companies Get Him Gifts, Autographs (Exclusive)

When Jace Antenorcruz graduated from Texas State University in August 2024, he sent his graduation announcements to family and friends — and a few companies and celebrities he admired, too.

“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 exclusively tells PEOPLE. “So I was able to study different platforms and use that as my inspiration.”

The recent graduate sent out between 18 to 20 of his cards to athletes, companies and restaurants that had played a significant role in his life about a month before he walked the stage. He meticulously researched corporate addresses and headquarters to send his cards to. 

The front of the card included Antenorcruz’s name and graduation date, while the back contained a special message to each person or business he was mailing them to.

“I wrote each company and each celebrity a personal note,” Antenorcruz shares. “I took the time to write what I liked about the company and what I appreciated from the celebrity.”

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After a couple of months, the responses began trickling in, with In-N-Out Burger being the first to reply with a congratulatory letter. However, it was Chick-fil-A’s response that truly amazed Antenorcruz.

The fast-food chain sent a generous package of gifts, which he showcased in a now-viral TikTok. “I told Chick-fil-A that they’ve always fed me throughout college and had an impact in my life overall,” he shares.

Other notable responses came from Lego, Adam Sandler, the San Antonio Spurs, Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan. Each response included either a gift or touching letter, which left a lasting impression on the young graduate. 

While he’s personally thrilled about the treasures, he shared them on TikTok to brighten others’ days, too. “I hope I was able to spread some positivity throughout my platform as much,” he says. “I feel very blessed.”

Many TikTok users have reached out asking how to replicate his success. In response, Antenorcruz created a tutorial video to help others navigate the process. “Just do it,” he says to those. “Trust your gut and overall hope for the best and really just have a lot of confidence and faith in yourself.”