When Malala Yousafzai, a 19 years old Nobel laureate, makes a surprise visits a school, it is hard to describe. It’s really hard to hold back tears.

It can even be hard to stay on your feet, especially when you’re a refugee whose parents fled war or famine or political oppression so you can have an education and opportunity.

Viola Konneh, a Denver South High School junior, who shared the stage with Yousafzai if only to get a hug and an autograph, “It was amazing. I almost fainted. She’s showing us that girls can do anything they want. You have the power to own your own life.”

Yousafzai visited on Friday after hearing about the high school during a visit to the city in 2015 and promising to come back. Friday’s assembly was the last stop on her most recent world tour to advocate for girls’ education around the globe.

principal Jennifer Hanson said with tears welling because of the impact of the moment, “We’re blessed because someone said, ‘Go to South because your work and your message live there’ ” .

South High School has been called a “newcomer center” with programs designed for refugees who have had limited or interrupted education in their home countries. Students there represent more than 60 countries.

On Friday, three students shared their stories about immigrating to the United States before Yousafzai appeared on stage to tell her story and offer encouragement.

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By Prakriti Neogi