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Yesterday, the First Lady welcomed 140 college-bound students to the White House for the Reach Higher "Beating the Odds" Summit.

These young people represented a wide range of communities -- urban, rural, foster, homeless, immigrant, special needs, and more. All of them have overcome great odds to go to college, and many are even first in their family to pursue further education after high school.

First Lady Michelle Obama, as part of her Reach Higher initiative, participates in a discussion with panelists during the 2015 Beating the Odds Summit, in the East Room of the White House, July 23, 2015. Participants include E! News co-anchor Terrence Jenkins, student Manuel Contreras, a rising senior at Brown University and co-founder of 1vyG, and rapper Wale. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

The summit celebrated these students' accomplishments, while also providing them with tips and resources to better prepare them for when they step on campus this fall.

The attendees had the opportunity to hear advice from the First Lady; Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; Google EDU's Jaime Casap; first-generation student and co-founder of 1vyG, Manuel Contreras; a panel of rising sophomores who met with the First Lady last year; and even musical artist Wale, who has a unique education story of his own.

First Lady Michelle Obama greets guests after participating in a discussion with panelists during the 2015 Beating the Odds Summit, as part of her Reach Higher initiative, in the East Room of the White House, July 23, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

See more:

• Learn more about the First Lady's Reach Higher initiative at ReachHigher.gov
• Read the message that Manuel Contreras sent to the White House email list before yesterday's summit