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Video: Highlights From We Day Minnesota (Part 1)

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's finally We Day, something students in Minnesota have been looking forward to for months.

About 18,000 students and teachers came to the Xcel Energy Center to listen to live music and hear words from inspirational speakers. The kids earned their way to this event by planning one global and one local service project.

The Shape Shift Dancers kicked things off with a hip-hop dance number that lead into an inspiring speech by Martin Luther King III. He said, "Spread the word! Have you heard? All across the nation, we are going to be a great generation!"

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton took the stage and thanked the organization for coming to the state. He made an official proclamation of October 8 as "We Day" across Minnesota.

Girl group Fifth Harmony took the stage to perform their song "Miss Movin' On."

Robin Wiszowaty, Free The Children program director in Ghana and Kenya, shared the stage with award-winning actress Mia Farrow for a conversation about volunteerism.

Local hip-hop star Dessa performed her hit song "Skeleton Key" for the kids.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman welcomed all 18,000 participants to his city, and spoke with pride about his hosting duties.

Marilyn Carlson introduced Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, who inspired the crowd.

Next up was The Tenors, Juno Award-winning singers, who performed their song "Free the Children."

Barbara Pierce Bush, co-founder and president of Global Health Corps and daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush, took the stage next.

Michelle Bergh, Miss Minnesota Pre-Teen, talked about Yoplait's "Gift + Issue = Hope."

The crowd roared when Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum Jonas Brothers arrived to perform their song "Pom Poms."

To close out the first half of We Day Minnesota, athlete Spencer West inspired the crowd with his story.

Click here to see highlights from the second half of We Day Minnesota.

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