

Not many people can imagine interviewing First Lady Michelle Obama, but a lucky high school senior recently got that opportunity. Nene Sy, an 18-year-old student at The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem, sat down with Mrs. Obama to discuss failure, success, and how young women and girls can be more confident.



Their interview was broadcast during the third day of the 5th annual Women of the World Summit. Sy was joined onstage to discuss the interview with Ann Tisch, founder and president of The Young Women’s Leadership Schools, and ABC News correspondent Barbara Walters.

Sy asked Obama if she had any advice for a first-generation college student such as herself. “Know that you can do this,” said Obama. “You can’t do this alone, nor should you...Don't be afraid to ask for help. ... And call your mom and your dad once a week at least. ... For me, I’ve learned to turn doubt into energy ... I know it’s my obligation to show up big. … Put in the work and don’t be afraid to fail or make mistakes. I say this to my girls all the time: Greatness comes from learning from those mistakes. Walk proud, work hard, and be confident."



Sy also broached the topic of how teens can deal with pressure to fit in with their peers, using her own insecurities as an example. "I’m 5’9 and at first, I didn’t like being tall," she said. "What was it like for you growing up?”



“It's the same thing. When you’re this age, you just want to be like everybody else,” said Obama. “But then you start growing up and you realize whether you’re 5’9 or 5’10 like we are, or 4'10, it’s about how you feel about yourself. So, you learn to own that height. ... That’s true for all young girls, [they need] to work on that self-confidence.”



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