Former first lady Michelle Obama shared a look into her past while celebrating the class of 2021 on Instagram Tuesday.
Obama posted a throwback photo from one of her previous graduations, in which she’s wearing a traditional graduation hat and robe.
In a lengthy post, the former FLOTUS commends this year’s graduating students for overcoming a series of challenges.
“From navigating virtual learning to finding new ways to develop relationships with teachers and classmates—while somehow submitting your assignments on time—you overcame so much this year with grace and humor,” she wrote.
She went on to share her experience as a young person transitioning into adulthood.
“I still remember all those questions I kept asking myself. Am I good enough? Am I smart enough? Can I do this?” she wrote. “Over time, I proved to myself that the answer to all of these questions was ‘yes.'”
Because of the unique challenges they endured, this year’s graduates will be better suited to take on additional hardships they may experience, she said.
“After what we’ve seen this year, I know you will get through whatever life throws at you,” she added.
Obama ended her message by encouraging her young followers to share photos from their own graduation day, using the hashtags #DearGrad and #ReachHigher.
Obama started her “Reach Higher” initiative, which advocates for higher education for students, during her time in the White House.