Speaking Not of Pomp, but Circumstance: Washington Post

Quoted via Washington Post:

First lady Michelle Obama brought a little churchgoing fervor along with her personal story when she delivered the commencement address for Washington Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter High School yesterday. She began her speech with a single "Yea!" after being introduced by senior Jasmine Williams, who sent Obama a letter in February imploring her -- or the president -- to speak at her graduation.

In her letter, Williams -- who someday would like to be secretary of state or the White House press secretary -- referred to Obama as "first lady Michelle" -- a phrase that was a mixture of respect and informality. Williams and other students said they found a kinship in the stories Obama has repeated about being an African American girl from a working-class family in Chicago who wasn't expected to achieve a fraction of what she has.

"She's outgoing and outspoken," senior Miranda Holland said before the ceremony, held at Howard University. "She reminds me of my grandmother," who's in her 50s. more