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The Year in Review: Our 5 Favorite Reach Higher Moments of 2014

December 22, 2014 at 7:07 PM ET by Eric Waldo
Summary: 
2014 has been an exciting year for First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative. Here are our favorite six moments.

2014 has been an exciting year for First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative, and given that the initiative launched in May, we had a difficult time limiting our favorite moments to just five. 

The initiative is the First Lady's effort to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.

1. First Lady Michelle Obama launches Reach Higher

To kick off the Reach Higher initiative in May, the First Lady challenged everyone across the country to wear their college gear to inspire students to take charge of their future by completing some form of education beyond high school. She also participated in San Antonio’s fourth-annual College Signing Day, celebrating students' commitments to higher education.

2. The First Lady celebrates Summer Learning Day

In June, the First Lady stopped by the U.S. Department of Education to celebrate National Summer Learning Day. The day spreads awareness about the importance of summer learning and how it helps close the achievement gap and supports healthy development.

The First Lady at Summer Learning

The First Lady visited the Department to discuss the importance of Summer Learning. May 2, 2014. (by Department of Education)

3. The First Lady talks with Tyler Oakley

In September, First Lady Michelle Obama helped Secretary of Education Arne Duncan kick off his annual back-to-school bus tour in Atlanta. As part of the celebration, the First Lady sat down with YouTube star Tyler Oakley to talk about the importance of education, as well as being first-generation college goers (both are!).

4. The First Lady takes to Tumblr

First Lady Michelle Obama took to Tumblr for the first time in October to answer your questions on preparing for college and how to pay for it.

5. The Administration hosted College Opportunity Day of Action

Earlier this month, President Obama, Vice President Biden, and First Lady Michelle Obama joined college presidents and education leaders from around the country to announce 600 new actions to help more students prepare for and graduate from college.

We’re looking forward to an exciting 2015. Stay up to date with Reach Higher on Twitter, Instagram, and at ReachHigher.gov.

See more from 2014:

Eric Waldo

Executive Director of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative