Students returning to school last week at four local elementary schools were greeted with sidewalks filled with positive and uplifting messages and chalk drawings thanks to members of the Junior Auxiliary of Meridian’s Crown Club.

With messages such as “You’re a Star,” “Be the Light,” “Radiate Positivity,” “You are Amazing” and “You are Smart, Kind, Important,” Crown Club members through their Chalk the Walk project sought to provide inspirational, back-to-school messages for the young students, hoping to kick off the new year on the right foot.

“Chalk the Walk is an opportunity to fill the sidewalks with kind messages through the use of creative expression, as well as to inspire the minds of young students with positive energy and encouragement for the new school year,” Anna Claire Myatt, a sophomore at Lamar School and Crown Club member, said in a Junior Auxiliary release.

Altogether, 30 Crown Club members participated in the Chalk the Walk project at four school campuses, Northeast Lauderdale Elementary School, Parkview Elementary School, Southeast Lauderdale Elementary School and West Lauderdale Elementary School.

“Chalk the Walk was such an incredible opportunity to give the youth of our community something to enjoy as the school year begins,” said Haley Graham, a Crown Club member and West Lauderdale High School senior. “It was a great experience, and I enjoyed every moment of it!”

The Junior Auxiliary’s Crown Club is made up of sophomore, junior and senior female students from area high schools who participate in community service projects aimed at benefiting the community.

Crown Club Project Chair Elizabeth Bennett said this was the first year for the Chalk the Walk project and the club hopes to make it an annual event as a way to bring smiles to the faces of returning students.

Bennett said the club received encouraging messages back from the schools in response to the project.

“Some state that it was bright spot for the kids to see coming into the building,” she said.

Bennett thanked administrators at the four schools for allowing the Crown Club’s members to host the Chalk the Walk event on their campuses.

“Your support made it possible for us to express our creativity and come together as a community in such a fun and meaningful way,” she said. “We are grateful for your continuous encouragement of student-led initiatives like this one.”