Former First Lady Michelle Obama visits Native American students prior to book event in Phoenix

MARICOPA, Ariz. (FOX 10) -- Prior to her book tour event in Downtown Phoenix on Tuesday, former First Lady Michelle Obama visited a roundtable for Native American students in the Gila River Indian Community in Maricopa.

The former First Lady has an initiative, known as "Reach Higher", that aims to encourage students to pursue postsecondary education. Obama was accompanied by Valerie Jarrett during the event, held at the Huhugam Heritage Center on the Gila River Indian Community. Students attending the roundtable had no idea Obama was coming, and were stunned by her appearance.

"I wanted to hear from you guys," said Obama. "Tell me about yourselves, what you're up to, what you're excited about, worried about."

Students then had a chance to talk to Obama a bit about their backgrounds, and what they hoped to do in the future.

FOX 10's Linda Williams reports.