\u201cI want our young people to know that they matter, that they belong. So don\u2019t be afraid \u2014 you hear me, young people? Don\u2019t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered. Empower yourselves with a good education, then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Reach Higher <\/em><\/strong>was launched back in 2014, with one goal in mind: to make higher education cool, and to shine a spotlight on all things educational, not just for example on those fortunate sports athletes choosing their college and university teams.\u00a0 \u201cWe wanted to focus that same level of energy and attention on kids going to college because of their academic achievements. Because as a nation, that\u2019s where the spotlight should also be \u2014 on kids who work hard in school and do the right thing when no one is watching, many beating daunting odds\u201d.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n After all, if the spotlight is only ever on celebrities, recording artists, or professional athletes, and they are the only achievements \/ professions ever celebrated \u201cwhy would we ever think kids would see college as a priority?\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cEducation is the key to success for so many kids.\u201d<\/em> We, at the Lancet<\/em>\u00a0Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing couldn\u2019t agree more. Though we focused on the benefits of secondary education, there is no doubt that guaranteeing access to quality education for all is the single best investment for health and wellbeing of young people.<\/p>\n Obama\u2019s Reach Higher initiative worked, one example Obama gave was their ambition to make College Signing Day<\/a> a national event. With the aim of creating a tradition to celebrate students going to college the same way the US celebrates athletes and celebrities. \u201cWe wanted to focus that same level of energy and attention on kids going to college because of their academic achievements.\u201d<\/em> Another, was Better Make Room<\/a>. A social media campaign that provides young people the support and inspiration they need to actually complete a higher education.<\/p>\n These are some of the examples Obama gave in her speech. If you would like to know more, visit the Reach Higher<\/a> website.<\/p>\n Obama then thanked the educators: the teachers and advocates, “who get up every day and work their hearts out to lift up our young people. I am so grateful to all of you for your passion and your dedication and all the hard work on behalf of the next generation\u201d.<\/em> These roles are often underappreciated and faced with such overwhelming challenges \u2013 budgets, student to teach ratios, the extra hours – but as we know the impact an educator can have on young people is priceless.<\/p>\n \u201cYou all come in early, you stay late\u2026 You stick with students in their darkest moments, when they\u2019re most anxious and afraid. And if anyone is dealing with a college [high school] senior or junior, you know what this feels like. These men and women show them that those kids matter; that they have something to offer; that no matter where they\u2019re from or how much money their parents have, no matter what they look like or who they love or how they worship or what language they speak at home, they have a place in this country.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n In her closing moments Obama, again addressed the young population – the leaders of tomorrow, and the parents of the next – “I want our young people to know that they matter, that they belong.\u201d<\/em> That any child who is given the opportunity of a good education, and with hard work, can achieve. Anything is possible for that child or young adult, \u201cthat means getting the best education possible so you can think critically, so you can express yourself clearly, so you can get a good job and support yourself and your family, so you can be a positive force in your communities.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n And reminded the politicians, the parents, and the employers, \u201call of us need to be providing for our young people.\u201d<\/em> Again, this is something we, at the Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing are so passionate about. \u201cWe must create opportunities to extend youth engagement into the real world. This requires financial investment, strong partnerships with adults, training and mentorship, and the creation of structures and processes that allow adolescent and young adult involvement in decision making.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n Michelle Obama\u2019s final speech as first lady can be read\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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