Kerry Washington may have graduated from George Washington University in 1998, but during her commencement speech to the school’s graduates Saturday the actress acknowledged that’s she better known in the District these days for other reasons.

“I know what some of you are thinking,” Washington said. “You’re thinking, ‘We’re celebrating our academic and intellectual achievement with that lady who’s having an affair with the president on that TV show?'” The crowd cheered.

Yes, the Scandal and Django Unchained star knows a lot of us are obsessed with the ridiculously soapy and extremely watchable ABC series. But Washington wasn’t to talk about why Olivia and Fitz can’t seem to get their act together. The actress, a was there to inspire the class of 2013, while getting in some in-the-know references to the city.

“We, too are the lead characters of our own lives,” Washington said. “I am here today to remind each of you that you are the heroes of your story. And I’m not just referring to your heroic victory over Georgetown in the 2010 Snowmageddon snowball fight.”

Washington also discussed the time she played a frog in a GWU musical. Sadly, there seem to be no photos or video of this on the Internet. Watch her commencement speech below.