Students of all ages at Millarville Community School are pouring inspiration into noteworthy projects close to their hearts.

Eight Graders at the school are tasked with Exit Projects Annually to leave a legacy behind, and In the 5th year at our school, students pick a passion project and work with an adult mentor to research and prepare a presentation to share.

Brayden Grover, Eighth Grade Student says he decided to create a mountain bike track at the school that future students, and kids from all over could use for his exit project.

He's been working with many different organizations and people to make the track a reality.

"The outdoor pursuits teacher and I came together and we went a flagged out the track. Then I emailed people from the Foothills School Division and said I would love to have permission to do this, and I got the go ahead. I also managed to find and contact named Alex Mann, he's a professional mountain bike track designer from Manitoba. He came out here on Tuesday, and we redesigned the track so it's more enjoyable, and not so focused on a hard ride."

Grover has hit his fundraising goal of $3,000 and is excited to start building the track in the coming weeks.

"I've been here since Kindergarten so the school is very close to my heart, I've spent a lot of my life here, so I figured it'd be nice to leave something big here. Another thing is I love mountain biking, it's very fun, and I enjoy it so much."

In fifth grade, two girls are taking topics near and dear to them, and taking action to explore them.

Reese Grover has had a love of reading since she picked up a Harry Potter book in Second Grade, and she wanted to share her joy of reading with everyone in Millarville.

"I chose reading disabilities, so to encourage students, teachers, and parents around Millarville I built the MCS House of Books. It's similar to a Little Free Library where you take a book and leave another for others to enjoy."

Grover shares she's learned that if you put commitment into any project you can get it done, and make a big difference.

As for fifth grader Ava Kaack, she's bringing an initiative familiar to Okotokians to Turner Valley.

Kaack explains she found a video on YouTube about the Yellow Fish Road program, aimed at educating residents on water conservation and pollution, soon Turner Valley residents will see yellow fish painted near storm drains with the reminder, "Rain water only."

She says working towards water conservation in her community was a no-brainer.

"The environment is important to me because I really care about it, it's very, very close to me. When I was little, and even now I've always been around the outdoors, and taking action to help the environment to make sure it's healthy."

The students will continue work on their projects until the end of the school year.

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