UCF Honors Alex & Sierra as Knights for Life
Alex & Sierra left for Los Angeles last year as UCF students with dreams of becoming X Factor stars. Last week they returned to UCF with their dreams fulfilled as the X Factor champions. The duo opened for Karmin during UCF’s Pegasus Palooza Concert Knight presented by Campus Activities Board. They were greeted with cheers from thousands of students as they stepped onto the stage to perform for a crowd they had been a part of just a few years prior.
Both are UCF alumni and recent winners of the X Factor, a reality music competition. During their time at UCF, Alex Kinsey and Sierra Deaton ’13 both majored within the UCF Nicholson School of Communication.
After their performance, the UCF College of Sciences and UCF Alumni Association hosted a special private ceremony to honor Alex and Sierra. In attendance at the ceremony were their family and friends as well as alumni volunteer leaders from the UCF College of Sciences. They were met with a round of applause as they entered the room and Sierra’s younger relatives rushed to hug her.
A family celebration with Alex & Sierra
Dr. Michael Johnson, Dean of the UCF College of Sciences, began the program by officially welcoming the couple back to campus and congratulating them on a great performance. He was joined by Director of the UCF Nicholson School of Communication, Dr. Robert Chandler, to present Deaton with something long overdue. As a result of their participation in X Factor Sierra missed her graduation ceremony. Therefore, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Chandler officially presented her with a cap and gown along with her diploma. The gown was first given to Alex, who affectionately helped Sierra zip up the front as she turned toward the crowd of smiling attendees.
“There are a few moments in life that are worth really bringing attention to and one of them is completing a college education,” Dr. Johnson said. “That’s why we felt it was so important to give Sierra the opportunity to officially celebrate this major milestone in her life.”
Alex & Sierra Life Members of the UCF Alumni Association
After the diploma presentation, Alex & Sierra were made Knights for Life. They were presented with lifetime memberships to the UCF Alumni Association. Out of the university’s 235,000 alumni, approximately 1,500 alumni receive these exclusive benefits and services, including recognition on the “Knights for Life” wall and brick paver at the UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center.
The official Alex & Sierra Facebook page shared a video made by an alumnus in attendance. Alex added that Sierra was taking finals on a laptop between learning lyrics for their songs and still went above and beyond. She graduated with honors from the College of Sciences, but she never made it to the commencement ceremony.
“So immediately following our show at UCF Thursday night, the school got to hold a mini graduation and honored us both as lifetime alumni members,” Alex said. “An awesome moment and I am so proud of her.”
Alex & Sierra will be kicking off their first tour on August 27 in Denver, CO and will be opening for Colbie Caillat. The UCF community is proud to support these shining knights who are truly reaching for the stars.