First Lady Michelle Obama and LeBron James promote education after high school
AKRON, Ohio - First Lady Michelle Obama and LeBron James brought their mutual admiration society to the University of Akron on Wednesday as the first lady promoted a campaign to encourage more young people to seek post-secondary education.
More than 2,400 youths and adults, many wearing T-shirts and sweatshirts that said "We are Family," were entertained by bands, giveaways, cheerleaders and Zippy, the UA mascot, as they waited more than two hours for James and Obama to appear at the James A. Rhodes Arena.
In her 15-minute appearance, the first lady told the youths how much she and President Barack Obama admired James.
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"LeBron has invested so much in you guys because he knows you are worth it," she said, addressing the youths involved in LeBron James Family Foundation programs.
"It's on you," she said. "You got college paid for. The question is are you going to do the work to get there?"
The shouts of "Yes!" rattled the rafters.
The first lady was referring to a partnership between the foundation, the university, and JPMorgan Chase in which any child under James' mentorship who graduates from Akron Public Schools and meets yet-to-be-determined criteria for testing, attendance, and community-service will receive tuition and fees to attend the University of Akron.
That program, and others to encourage youths to succeed in school, led the White House to ask the foundation if it would host the first event for the first lady's new program, Better Make Room, which she announced on Monday.
Better Make Room expands the first lady's Reach Higher initiative to inspire every student to complete their education past high school. The new program is aimed at youths age 14 to 19.
Celebrities, websites and media popular with that age group will promote the message, the White House said.
"When we were doing our research, LeBron was identified as a revered person for that generation," Eric Waldo, the executive director of Reach Higher, said Wednesday. Waldo, who is from Cleveland Heights, said James and the First Lady have met in the past.
At Wednesday's appearance, the first lady invited the youths to go on the Better Make Room website, bettermakeroom.org, and tell their stories. She said stories may be featured on the site and youths may be invited to the White House.
"How about all these kids at the White House?" she asked, turning to James. Cheers erupted from the crowd.
It wasn't an invitation, but with the involvement of James, you never know what may happen, Waldo later said.