INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen and Selena Gomez were among the stars who brought thousands of Los Angeles-area school kids to their feet Thursday at California’s inaugural WE Day celebration.

The educational event drew 16,000 local students to the Forum in Inglewood, California, for a day of inspirational speeches and celebrity appearances. Students earned admission to the WE Day event by participating in yearlong community service projects with their schools.

Theron challenged the students to become the generation that ends AIDS. Rogen shared how a lack of resources for Alzheimer’s disease inspired him, a self-described “lazy man-child,” to start his own charitable organization. Zooey Deschanel and the cast of TV’s “New Girl” encouraged the students to participate in a group hug.

Demi Lovato roused the audience with a performance of her new song, “Stone Cold.” Gomez, Henry Winkler, Martin Sheen, Joe Jonas, Hollywood couple Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder, Joe Jonas, Amandla Stenberg and Paula Abdul were among other entertainers who appeared on stage before the lunch break. Big Sean, Tyrese Gibson and Kermit the Frog were also set to address the students, who represent 550 California schools.

Highlights from the program will air as a TV special August 28 on ABC.