Thousands Turn Out in Harlem for the First Lady's 'National College Signing Day'

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Robert De Niro, Allan Houston, Carmello Anthony, Daymond John, Melissa McCarthy, Rev. Run and Others Make Surprise Appearance

As part of her Reach Higher initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated College Signing Day at New York City’s Harlem Armory. Thousands of students from across New York high schools attended the event.  

College Signing Day continues the First Lady’s efforts to inspire young people to pursue their education past high school. In addition to the First Lady’s event in New York, more than 1,000 College Signing Day events were planned in nearly every state by communities, students, and organizations committed to helping students pursue higher education. 

Legendary actor Robert De Niro issues a brief statement of support.

During the star-studded event, the First Lady encouraged people across the country to join her in marking College Signing Day by wearing college apparel and sharing the importance of higher education on social media through #CollegeSigningDay and #BetterMakeRoom.

A number of media outlets were on hand for the event.

Last October, the First Lady launched Better Make Room, a public awareness campaign targeted at Generation Z, or young people ages 14-19, to celebrate education, change the national conversation, and give students the tools and resources they need to continue their education past high school. The Better Make Room campaign engages actors, singers, and sports icons in celebrating students for pursuing higher education. This past December the First Lady teamed up with College Humor, The Gregory Brothers, and Jay Pharoah to record the music video "Go To College," which will be performed at the event tomorrow.

New York Knicks player Carmello Anthony and LZ Granderson address the students.

This event was hosted by MTV in conjunction with Viacom's Get Schooled initiative. This was the third annual College Signing Day the First Lady has hosted to celebrate high school seniors choosing to pursue higher education at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university. The First Lady has hosted College Signing Day events in Detroit, Michigan in 2015 and in San Antonio, Texas in 2014. 

Video footage of the First Lady's comments will be posted soon.

Photos and video footage by G-Man