NEWARK, NJ — An eager group of middle school girls got a chance to attend Michelle Obama's speaking event in Newark last week , courtesy of a local nonprofit and the Prudential Center.

In all, 17 students and eight volunteers from Girls; Live, Love, Laugh, Inc. got sponsored tickets to the Nov. 3 event, which featured a "moderated Q&A conversation" with Obama, the former first lady, attorney and author.

Girls; Live, Love, Laugh, Inc – which provides youth mentoring programs to girls ages 6 to 16 – said the trip was a "once in a lifetime opportunity." The organization credited their partnership with the Prudential Center for the experience, and said it made an immediate impact on their educational plans.