The following is a news report on American first lady Michelle Obama's commencement address at a high school. Visit the webpage and you can read not only the news report but also the full text.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/11/michelle-obama-anacostia-_n_609356.html
Michelle Obama Tears Up, Urges Students to Pursue Higher Ed in Academies at Anacostia Graduation Speech
June 11, 2010
WASHINGTON — Her voice cracking and eyes filled with tears, first lady Michelle Obama remembered her parents' sacrifices for their two children and how they pushed for success as she urged high school graduates to claim their destiny.
Mrs. Obama addressed students, parents and faculty of The Academies at Anacostia at the school's graduation ceremony Friday at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, not far from the White House. She said she would not have been standing at the podium if her parents had not encouraged her and her brother, Craig Robinson, to dream big.
My comments: Parents do have a great impact on their children. Their guidance and insistence make a difference in their children's life.
"I remember my mom pushing me and my brother to do things she'd never done herself; things she'd been afraid to do herself," the first lady said. "What I can remember is my father getting up every day and going to work at the water filtration plant, even after he was diagnosed with MS, even after it got hard for him to button his shirt, and to get up and walk. See, I remember my parents sacrificing for us, pouring everything they had into us, being there for us, encouraging us to reach for a life they never knew."
My comments: As told in "Paging Dr. Carson," though Ben Carson's mother was illiterate, she insisted her two sons shut down the TV, read two books every week and write a report, which opened the door to a much greater world for Ben and his brother Curtis.
Michelle Obama's father, Fraser, is deceased. Her mother, Marian Robinson, lives at the White House with the first family.
She also encouraged the graduates to give themselves a pat on the back.
"You have to understand that there are a lot of people out there who believe in you. I believe in you. The president of the United States believes in you," said Obama, who spoke for about 25 minutes. "When times are hard for us, you inspire us. You keep us going. We are expecting big things from you in the years to come. Big things."
My comments: Very encouraging! Pygmalion effect.
The first lady urged students to surround themselves with the right friends, travel abroad and to continue to pursue higher education.
My comments: All these help broaden our horizons.
"You don't have to be on a college campus to educate yourself," she said. "There are opportunities all over D.C. to enrich your lives and enrich your minds."
My comments: With a heart to learn, the sky is the limit.
It was Mrs. Obama's second address to Anacostia students. She visited the school during the last academic year to mentor female students. The school is in one of the poorest sections of Washington and has struggled in the past, leading to its transfer to a charter school operator.
According to the graduation program, 164 students received diplomas during the ceremony. More than 90 percent of the graduates have received college acceptance letters. Mrs. Obama said school attendance and college acceptances had risen significantly.
Graduate Jordan Smiley, the Class of 2010 valedictorian who will attend Hampton University this fall, told the first lady that the student body looks to her family as examples of what it can achieve.
"Today we are proof that change, whether good or bad, can be beneficial," Smiley said in his speech. "We are writing history and we have the choice to determine what the future says about us."
The following is more inspiring excerpts from Mrs. Obama's speech:
"You're proving that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about you or what you can achieve. The only thing that matters, rather, is what you think about yourself and what you're willing to do to achieve your goals. That's all that matters. (Applause) How hard are you willing to work, how big are you willing to dream?"
"Don't ever scale back your dreams. And don't ever set limits on what you can achieve. And don't think for one single moment that your destiny is out of your hands, because no one's in control of your destiny but you. And it is never too late. You can do anything you put your minds to -- and I mean absolutely anything."
"No one achieves success overnight. You know life doesn't work that way. Anything worth having takes time and perseverance. You're going to have to push yourselves beyond your limits. You're going to have to step outside of those comfort zones. You're going to have to ask for help when you need it."
"...part of being a mature and functioning adult in this society is realizing that life is a series of tradeoffs. If you want a career that pays a good salary, then you have to work hard. You've got to be on time; you've got to finish what you start; you have to always keep your word. If you want a life free from drama, then you can't hang out with people who thrive on drama. (Applause.) You have to pick your friends wisely, pick your friends -- surround yourself with people who share your values and your goals."
"A belief in the importance of education. Perseverance. Character. These are the qualities that ...you'll need -- and more -- when you leave here and begin the next chapter of your lives."
"To those of you who are college bound in the fall, I just hope that you make the most of that experience. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Make new friends; get to know your classmates. Take classes that'll challenge the way you think about the world. Build relationships with professors that inspire you. Don't sit in your room, get involved in activities that spark your passions and service organizations that touch your hearts. And the thing that I've been telling graduates all over this country is study abroad if you can. Find a way to travel the world. Above all, never stop finding new ways to push yourselves. Never stop finding new ways to learn and to grow."
"And the same goes for those of you who aren't headed to college, because you don't have to be on a college campus to educate yourself...Be persistent. Start with your immediate network of people -- folks like the folks up here. Reach out to people you admire in your community -- teachers, pastors, business owners. Talk to them about how they got started in their careers. Ask them for advice and guidance. And most of all, stay positive. Believe in yourselves and in what you have to offer."
"...no matter what you're doing next year, you have to be aggressive. You have to seize every opportunity that's available to you. You can't wait. You can't just sit around. Don't expect anybody to come and hand you anything; it doesn't work that way. (Applause.) If you want your own destinies and you want to control those destinies tomorrow, you've got to start practicing who you want to be today, because if you're afraid to step beyond your comfort zone today and reach for the things you want today, you'll always be afraid. If you're afraid to speak up and ask for what you need today, you will always be afraid.
Don't (inaudible) fear, but if you begin to take control of your destiny today, graduates, if you push yourself today, if you practice taking risks today, that's what you'll continue to do for the rest of your lives."
"once you grab hold of your future and pull yourselves up -- there's just one more thing you have to do, and that is reach back and pull someone else up after you -- (applause) -- because the truth is none of us can succeed on our own. We all need help along the way."
"And that support will come from teachers like the ones you have at Anacostia. It'll come from friends, but real friends who have your best interests at heart, friends who bring out the best in you, friends who have your back and keep you focused on your dreams. (Applause.)
And it's all going to come from your families. And again, we got to take a moment again to recognize the family members and to remember that many of you are here because of what they have done."
"...family members, know this: You don't have to have lived the kind of life you want your kids to live to help them excel. Your kids don't need you to be a doctor or a lawyer. Your kids don't need you to be rich and famous. What they need from you is your wisdom. What they need from you is your support. What they need from you is love, that unconditional love -- (applause) -- the kind of love that lets them know that you will be there for them, no matter what. That's all your kids need."
"We are living proof for you that with the right support, it doesn't matter what circumstances you were born into, or how much money you have, or what color your skin is, if you're committed -- if you are committed to doing what it takes, anything is possible. It's up to you. (Applause.)"
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