Michelle Obama celebrates students’ success

UCLA welcomed some special guests Wednesday.

Former first lady Michelle Obama, along with an array of celebrities, such as talk show host Conan O'Brien and musician Usher, appeared in Southern California today to celebrate with nearly 10,000 high school students and transfer students who are completing their education past high school, whether it's "at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university".

"When I was in high school, and I wanted to apply to the college of my choice, I had someone tell me that I shouldn't reach too high," said Obama, who is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School.

"They told me that I wanted too much for myself, I should dream a little smaller. And let me tell you, that will happen to you again and again and again, there will be people in your life who will tell you not to dream too big, because they are haters, and they don't want any more for you than they think you should deserve, " she said.

The Reach Higher initiative, launched by Obama during her time in the White House in 2014, aimed to help students, especially first-generation college students and those from lower-income background, to navigate the college process through events such as College Signing Day and through raising their awareness of useful college access tools.

It also supports counselors by helping them provide better resources for students.

According to Obama, the initiative has led to more than 3,000 college signing-day events across the country this spring, and more than 600,000 students will be celebrated for their achievement.

Donning the T-shirt of Compton College, a community college in southern Los Angeles County, Obama said she was doing so to encourage and support community college students.

"I'm wearing this shirt from Compton College today, because I want to give community colleges a little extra love," Obama said.

"Look, we are fortunate in this country to have an amazing community college system, and Compton College, they have a great story to tell. The school fell on some tough times a few years ago, but they buckled down, they worked hard, and now they are back on their feet and providing an excellent affordable education to thousands of students every year," she added.

According to the US Census Bureau, between 2007 and 2017, the percentage of adults with a bachelor's or higher degree increased from 29 percent to 34 percent. Among those age 25 and above who were employed, 40 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher in 2017 and 51 percent had an associate's or higher degree.