Michelle Obama Surprises D.C. High Schoolers to Celebrate Their College Decisions: 'We Need Your Perspectives'

The former first lady, whose Reach Higher initiative encourages students to pursue higher education, delivered an unexpected speech at a College Signing event on Tuesday, April 30

Michelle Obama is celebrating the future generation of scholars!

The former first lady, 60, surprised thousands of high school students on Tuesday, April 30, when she popped by a 2024 College Signing Day event held in Washington, D.C.

The special event partnered with Obama's Reach Higher initiative — launched 10 years ago while she was first lady — which encourages young people to continue their education beyond high school.

"I remember when I was in your shoes, and no matter how hard I worked to prepare, I had this little voice in the back of my head telling me that maybe, just maybe, I didn't belong," Obama told the crowd. "I know that it is easy to write yourself off even before your journey begins, and that's exactly why I wanted to come and talk to you all today."

Related: Barack Obama Spreads Holiday Cheer with Surprise Visit to Pre-K Classroom: 'Hi Everybody, I'm Skinny Santa!'

Obama shared some lessons she learned when she was a first-generation college student, and cheered the high schoolers along for bravely entering their chapter.

"We need your perspectives to help us continue to build a more just and equal nation, and world, at this point," she said.

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The College Signing Day event was hosted by the DC College Access Program (DC-CAP) at the Capitol One Arena and saw about 2,500 students celebrating together.

During her unannounced speech, Obama praised the students for pushing through school with "grit and determination and optimism" during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and also encouraged the high school seniors to vote up and down the ballot in the upcoming election.

She also urged students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and take advantage of any financial aid they can as they begin the next step of their education. “There’s still time,” she said. “I know it’s been a complicated year, but the FAFSA is your best shot at getting the money you're going to need to pay for school. And I cannot stress this enough."

Related: Michelle Obama Celebrates 3 Young Women Making Change at Saks' Holiday Event: 'They Blew Me Away'

The former first lady has been involved in celebrating — and surprising! — students on several occasions over the years.

Back in October 2019, Obama showed up at Randle Highlands Elementary School in Washington, D.C. with The Ellen Degeneres Show, after the school was left in need of supplies and serious renovation.

“As we’re standing there, in walks Michelle Obama,” the school's principal, Kristie Edwards, told PEOPLE at the time. “A student yelled ‘Obama!’ I’m still looking at a computer, and I look up and it’s really her. We were frozen. We literally could not move. I finally started moving toward her to give her a hug. She tells us that Ellen heard that we need some things for our school, and she presents us with a box.”

Related: The Story Behind Michelle Obama (and Ellen!) Surprising an Elementary School in D.C. with Gifts & $100K

Obama gifted with The Ellen Degeneres Show a new basketball court and computer room for the school, along with iPads for all the teachers and students.

In November 2021, Obama met with students Jada Yelverton-Grave, Dreshta Boghra and Caitlin James, at the unveiling of Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday windows, after being admired by their advocacy and empowerment work with Girls Inc., a girls’ leadership organization program.

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