First Lady Michelle Obama in Final Speech to Honor 2017 School Counselor of the Year

Friday, January 6th

The White House * 11:00 AM ET – First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver her final remarks as First Lady at the 2017 School Counselor of the Year event in the East Room of the White House. School Counselor of the Year is an annual White House tradition started in 2015 by Mrs. Obama.

As part of her Reach Higher initiative, Mrs. Obama has championed school counselors and encouraged post-secondary education for students across the country. Awardees from all 50 states are selected by the American School Counselor Association, based on criteria including: creative school counseling innovations, effective school counseling programs, leadership skills, and contributions to student enhancement.

Prior to the First Lady’s remarks, awardees and guests will attend a panel featuring Education Secretary John B. King Jr., former Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Friday Night Light’s actress Connie Britton, 2016 School Counselor of the Year Katherine Pastor, and First-Generation Baltimore Founder Verlando Brown.

Follow along with the 2017 School Counselor of the Year ceremony by using the hashtag #SCOY17 and #ReachHigher.