Former First Lady Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at Capital One Arena on Tuesday, joining 2,500 high school students from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. to celebrate College Signing Day and their decision to pursue higher education.
With warmth and encouragement, she acknowledged the students’ remarkable resilience and determination, having navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and adapted to virtual learning.
Obama commended the students for “pushing through” and “buckling down” despite missing out on traditional high school experiences and urged them to take the next step by signing up for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). She also drew on her experiences as a first-generation college student, sharing how she overcame self-doubt and fear of failure.
Michelle Obama Surprises DC Students At College Signing Day Celebration (Credits: People)
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Obama’s Reach Higher program, which aims to empower students to pursue higher education and provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed. In her remarks, she emphasized that higher education is not just for the privileged few, but for anyone who is willing to work hard and pursue their dreams.
Obama announced a new partnership between Reach Higher and Common Application to further support students in their college journey. This widely used undergraduate college admission application allows students to apply to over 1,000 schools.
Michelle Obama (Credits: The Hill)
The DC College Access Program (DC-CAP) hosted the event and featured special guests including DC-CAP President Eric Waldo, DC-CAP board chair Ted Leonsis, and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Throughout her speech, Obama offered words of encouragement and support, reminding the students that they have a community of people rooting for them every step of the way. “You’ve got a community of people around you, including Barack and me, who is sending his love to you all too,” she said. “We are rooting for your every step of the way.”
