First Lady Michelle Obama has had to endure massive amounts of awful rhetoric in her time in the White House. Through it all, she has stayed classy, inspirational, and a role model to everyone. While delivering a speech as part of her “Reach Higher” program to honor this year’s School Counselor of the Year, Obama brought the house down. Surrounded by an audience of people crying, Obama delivered a positive, uplifting, and emotional speech urging people everywhere to find value in who they are and what they do.
Education has long been a focus of the First Lady, and she began the Reach Higher program to honor those in education who do exemplary work. She becomes emotional by the end of her speech, speaking directly to the young people who may be listening to her:
“I want our young people to know that they matter, that they belong… So don’t be afraid. You hear me, young people? Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered. Empower yourself with a good education. Then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise. Lead by example with hope – never fear.”
She also seems to be speaking to those scared of our incoming president, specifically with her line about leading with hope instead of fear.
Obama’s speech brought many in attendance to tears, and she closed it with a particularly heart-wrenching line:
“Being your First Lady has been the greatest honor of my life, and I hope I’ve made you proud.”
Luckily for us, judging from her speech at the Republican National Convention, Melania Trump will deliver a very similar speech to this one in a few years. Watch Obama’s entire speech below, and keep some tissues handy. We will miss this class act in the White House.
Featured Image via YouTube Screenshot
