Howard Community College

As part of her Reach Higher initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Howard Community College in September. "We're fortunate enough to live in a country where you have so many options for pursuing your education beyond high school," said First Lady Michelle Obama during the event. "Community colleges are one of those phenomenal choices, and career and technical education is just amazing." The day began with a student-led tour of the emergency medical services suite in the Health Sciences Building. Reema Halboni, who serves as a student ambassador for admissions events at the college, introduced Mrs. Obama and five Howard County Public School System high school seniors to HCC paramedic student Diego Esmolo. He showed off the ambulance used for training, and cardiovascular technology student Jaheda Hanif demonstrated the state-of-the-art technology used in the classroom. The highlight of the day was a panel discussion moderated by Essence magazine's Lauren Williams. Howard Community College President Kate Hetherington joined Mrs. Obama, Howard County General Hospital President Steve Snelgrove, and HCC nursing student Trecya Jordan on the panel. "Howard Community College is one of the stars," said Mrs. Obama at the start of the panel discussion. "The work that is being done here, the level of education, the connection to the hospital just nearby. We went on a tour and just saw some phenomenal training". High school students from Oakland Mills High School and the Applications 2 Howard Community College The First Lady Encourages Local Students to 'Reach Higher'

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