Rocky View School students were asked last month to do something nice for others in our community and they responded. Pay It Forward Day/Week is about people from all walks of life giving to someone else and making a positive difference.

Whether a group or individual effort, the Pay It Forward challenge was extended to all Airdrie/ Cochrane middle and high schools to come up with a great idea for helping others in need. Alicia Laurin and her friend, Nicole Hartley Bradford, founded the Airdrie initiative and received three school entries along with ten individual submissions for the challenge.

Voting took place early this week and, Friday morning, the winners of both categories were honoured with some great prizes kindly donated by local companies. In the end, it would be a 'Wake-A-Thon', and a generous donation of much-needed clothes to Community Links that came out on top.

Students of Bert Church High School were chosen as the winners of the 'group' effort category.

At the school, Megan, Erin and Brooke gathered in the office to hear a presentation from Alicia Laurin.

Megan, Erin and Brooke (from left to right) share a photo with Co-Founder of Airdrie Pay It Forward, Alicia Laurin

Bert Church student and co-winner, Megan, spoke about what her group did to win the distinction.

After congratulating the winners, we took some prizes over to Muriel Clayton Middle School in Airdrie to present to the winners of the individual category. Laurin again commended the kids for their efforts.

Muriel Clayton students Kierra, Kaylin, Caitlin and Ryne win Pay It Forward challenge for their individual efforts

Kierra, among the winners, talked about what Community Links does for others.

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who helped Pay It Forward!!!

Check out more on their Facebook page!