First Lady Michelle Obama hit the graduation circuit this weekend and imparted words of wisdom to the graduates of 2012. On Friday, Mrs. Obama delivered the keynote address during commencement exercises at Virgina Tech to more than 5,000 graduates and a crowd of 35,000. Noting that the school has endured tragedy in the past and still persevered, she challenged the students to continue to work hard and dream big.
“The truth is, there will be people who judge you based on one isolated incident. People can only define you if you let them. In the end it’s up to each of you to define yourselves.”
And on Saturday, Mrs. Obama traveled over to Greensboro, NC to give the commencement address at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She told the more than 1200 graduates and crowd of 15,000 to be the change they want to see in the world.
“Each generation does its part to perfect our union. Each generation looks at the world around them and decides that it’s time to wake up and change the situation. And we’ve always looked to our young people to lead the way. We always have.”
Reflecting on the “Greensboro Four”, the four North Carolina students who helped to desegregate lunch counters in the state, she used their message to inspire the students the more than 1200 graduates and crowd of 15,000. Mrs. Obama next heads to Oregon State to address the Class of 2012, where her brother is the men’s head basketball coach.
