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Hello, all --
Today, I met a young man named Troy.
Troy comes from New Orleans,
where his family lived through the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. He
couldn't read until he was twelve, and would regularly cut school
because the other students would tease him. When he did attend, he'd
shove desks, start fights -- anything to get him out of class.
But then Troy saw his
younger siblings start down a similar path. And he decided to make a
change. He connected with his fifth-grade teacher, and enrolled in a
program called the Urban League College Track. With the support of
College Track and his teachers, he worked hard and made his way into
high school -- and today, he's a sophomore at Bard College, studying
American Literature.
There are a lot of kids like
Troy out there -- kids with all the potential in the world -- but far
too many of them are slipping through the cracks. They're not making
their way to college -- maybe because their parents never went, or
because they've never been encouraged to believe they could succeed
there.
It's on all of us to help change that.
That's why today, Barack and
I hosted college and university presidents, business leaders,
philanthropists, and representatives from organizations around the
country who are helping more of our kids see their potential and pursue
their education. They're helping them navigate the financial aid and
college admissions process. They're working with them to find schools
that match their ability and interests. And they've made real, concrete
commitments to help make college a reality for more kids.
And here's the thing: You
don't have to be a university president or an executive to do that.
There is something that each and every one of us can do in our
communities to help make sure our kids realize their potential and make
their way into higher education. That could mean having a conversation
with a young neighbor or a relative, serving as a mentor, or
volunteering at a local high school to help students fill out their
college applications.
I'm passionate about helping our young people because I see my story in theirs.
Neither of my parents
graduated from college, but they always encouraged me to pursue my
education and told me that college was possible. And I know that there
are so many kids out there just like me: kids who have a world of
potential but need some encouragement and support to make it through
college.
That's why I was so inspired by some of the commitments I learned about today.
Universities are taking
steps like helping underserved students with financial literacy, or
finding innovative ways for academic advisors to better support students
who could use a helping hand. And many colleges are working with
organizations like the Posse Foundation to give kids the social and
academic support they'll need to graduate.
These kinds of programs
aren't just good for these young people. They're good for all of us.
Because after everything these kids will have overcome to get to college
-- and get through college -- they'll have all the skills they need to
thrive in our businesses, and law firms, and labs. And that's not just
good for them and their families, it's good for their communities and
our country. That's why Barack is working every single day to expand
opportunities to every single young person in America. And that's why
we're working to rally the country around his "North Star" goal – that
by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college
graduates in the world.
Reaching that goal begins with each of us doing our part as parents, students, educators, and citizens.
We can all help a young
person realize his or her potential, so I hope you'll learn more about
the commitments that organizations and schools around the country are
making -- and then make a commitment of your own:
Thanks in advance for everything you will do on behalf of America's young people.
First Lady Michelle Obama
The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111
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