When I stepped onto Brown University's campus for my first semester, I wasn't
ready.
I'm the son of two Mexican immigrants, and the first in my family to go to
college. During my freshman year, though, I felt surprisingly out of place I
had worked hard to get there, but so many of my classmates came from wealthy
families, were better-read, and seemed more prepared. And at a few points, I
felt like I didn't actually deserve to be at Brown.
Fast forward a couple of years, and I'm now a rising senior, ready to get my
diploma. Because I was able to connect with other people who had shared my
experience and gotten through it, as well as professors and advisors who went
out of their way to help me, I've learned how to feel comfortable in the
uncertainty.
That's why I'm at the White House today for the First Lady's "Beating the
Odds" summit -- an event that will take a look at how we can help more students
who are just like me successfully transition to college and give them the tools
and resources they need to finish their higher education.
At the summit, First Lady Michelle Obama will host more than 130
college-bound students from across America. These students come from all walks
of life -- urban, rural, foster homes, homeless, special needs, and other
underrepresented areas.
But they all have one thing in common: They've all overcome substantial
challenges and obstacles to get through high school and make it to college.
For every student who's made it onto a college campus, though, there are far
too many others who just don't have the support and the tools they need to get
to the next level.
As the First Lady said earlier this year, "We simply cannot afford to lose
out on the potential of even one young person. We cannot allow even one more
young person to fall through the cracks."
So let's do everything we can to prevent more kids from falling through the
cracks. All too often, you hear the phrase, "Where there's a will, there's a
way." Let's do everything we can to make that "way" possible for more kids
across our country.
Thanks,
Manuel
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