Curie HS students try to dance their way to We Day

CHICAGO (WLS) -- We Day only a couple of weeks away. It's a chance for thousands of young people to get together to enjoy a great day with some of their favorite stars.

More importantly, We Day is a chance to recognize students who are giving back to their communities. We've been following some of the local schools as they try to earn their way to Rosemont. This is one group with all the right moves.

At Curie High School in Chicago's Archer Park neighborhood, students were partying with a purpose. This is their Dance-A-Thon, a service project to raise money for various charities. It is a feel-good experience.

"Do more community service for others and that makes many people feel better," says student Vanessa Castaneda.

The Curie students are also dancing their way to the big We Day celebration at the Allstate Arena. It rewards young people for doing good work in their neighborhoods. That is especially important in the inner cities like where these kids are from.

"It brings back the reality that we are a school that's 90-percent that gets free or reduced lunch, but we then realize that these are places and there are people that have bigger struggles than we do," says Marie Ovalle, an instructor at Curie High School.

We Day features performances from major stars from all genres. The 2016 lineup includes Ciara and Paula Abdul. But it will also expose the participants to leaders like Martin Luther King, III.

"I know a lot from Martin Luther King, so it's really nice to see that his son is coming because he is an advocate for rights," says student Lillian Martinez.

So while it may look like a regular school get-together, it is really a chance for these students to think globally.

"I've learned how I should be grateful, not everyone has what I have," says student Delilah Munoz.

"It makes me feel proud of myself because people sometimes feel like they can't do a lot of community services for others, but in reality we could all do a little for each other," says Castaneda.

And that's the main idea: doing things for other people. These students seem to "get it" and they may enjoy a much bigger party on April 28.