'BE THE BEST YOU CAN' OBAMA DRAMA The First Lady's inspirational message to schoolgirls.

Byline: RYAN PARRY; TOM PARRY 

MICHELLE Obama inspired dozens of schoolgirls yesterday as she said she was a shining example of what they could achieve.

America's First Lady hailed them as "diamonds and wonderful girls" as she visited their inner-city institution.

And she told them in a rousing speech: "I'm an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. You too can control your own destiny.

EXCITEMENT

"Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.

"We are counting on every single one of you to be the best that you can be."

About 300 pupils and residents had shrieked: "We love you!" as she arrived at the all-girls' school in Islington, North London - a sign of the excitement she and husband Barack have generated on their UKvisit. Mrs Obama applauded enthusiastically after the youngsters regaled her with a string of stirring performances - including pupil Grace Fleary-Hollowell leading a choir in Whitney Houston hit Believe. And in a show of the informal style that has endeared her to millions around the world, she high-fived solo singer Brenda Mensah, 16, after her performance and hugged the youngsters.

The First Lady then took to the stage in front of 100 pupils at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School and gasped: "Wow! I can't follow that. Thank you for that warm welcome.

"My husband is going to be very jealous of my afternoon because I am spending it with all of you.

"He is meeting with important people but it's not as much fun as being here. The school is phenomenal and you should be very proud of what you've created.

"When I look at a performance like this, it reminds me that there are diamonds like this all over the world.

"All of you are precious and you touch my heart. It's important for the world to know there are wonderful girls like you all over the world."

The First Lady, in a blue Jason Wu dress and Junya Watanabe cardigan, had earlier visited the Royal Opera House with Gordon Brown's wife Sarah.

And she told the schoolgirls Mrs Brown was a "phenomenal woman who has been charming and delightful".

Afterwards the youngsters could barely contain their excitement at having met her.

Brenda, whom she high-fived, said "I was really nervous before singing and tried not to look at her in case I cracked. I cried before going out on stage. But when I saw her my confidence rose "She looked really glamorous, like a glowing angel.

"One of her people told me she was crying, which makes me feel happy.

She's a real inspiration." Singer Grace gushed: "When I sang she smiled and came to give me a hug.

She said, 'That's really amazing', and asked where I got my voice from.

TEARS

"When I met her I was speechless. It's a dream come true." Schoolmate Sabrina Chowdhury, 16, added: "Her speech was spectacular. When she came in, it was like the room lifted.

"There are so many girls in our school who need that kind of motivation. It moved us to tears."

The delight at the First Lady's visit was not limited to the pupils. School head Jo Dibb said: "We're very proud that of the 2,500 schools in London, Mrs Obama chose to visit ours."

CAPTION(S):

WAVE OF EXCITEMENT Mrs Obama at the school HANDY GESTURE High five. Left, with Sarah