Jill Biden on Saturday told Arizona community college graduates to tune out the people who like to tell them what they can't do.
The first lady shared with graduates of how her high school guidance counselor told her she wasn't college material and shouldn't waste her time going. She didn't listen and got her college degree.
Then she got three more, including two master's degrees and, at age 55, a doctorate in educational leadership. She went to school at night while raising three children and working full-time.
The first lady has been a , and since 2009 has taught English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College.
She encouraged the graduates to 鈥渄rown out鈥 the voices that say 鈥渃an't鈥 and to remember the challenges they overcame to get to wear a cap and gown on Saturday.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e met life鈥檚 challenges before. And you know that on the other side of 鈥榗an鈥檛鈥 lies the beauty and joy and surprise of life, the adventure that changes us for the better,鈥 she said, according to excerpts of her prepared remarks shared with The Associated Press. 鈥淎nd you are ready for it.鈥
Biden said the graduates should remember that they are strong and resilient, and shouldn't be afraid to face the unknown.
鈥淓xpect anything and everything. Take the risks that scare you. Don鈥檛 hesitate when you see the chance for joy. Share your stories, too. Be kinder. Love harder. Dream bigger. Find your adventure and keep your courage to say 鈥榶es.,'" she said.
To the Class of 2024, she said, 鈥淟et the world feel your thunder!" The college mascot is the thunderbird and 鈥漟eel the thunder" is the school slogan.
鈥淎nd the next time that someone tells you that you 鈥榗an鈥檛,鈥 you鈥檙e going to say, 鈥極h yeah?...Watch me,鈥欌 Biden said.
