From Chocowinity Primary School

CHOCOWINITY — A two-dollar plastic gumball machine from a toy store was outfitted for a new purpose this school year by a fourth-grade student who wanted to inspire and encourage his classmates.

Instead of pieces of gum, 10-year-old Colin Wiggins filled the toy with slips of paper bearing words of encouragement.

“I was bored and I ate all the gum out of it, so I was thinking what to do with it,” Colin said of the gumball machine. “So I decided to do this.”

In his spare time at home, the CPS student carefully wrote such phrases as “You can do this”, “You’re awesome” and “You’re smart” on tiny slips of paper. He then took his invention to school to share with his classmates in Cameron Hill’s classroom.

When a student is facing a difficult task or test, he or she can turn the handle on the small machine and receive a much-needed dose of encouragement or inspiration.

“I’ve seen most kids do it in the morning or at snack, but they can get one anytime,” Colin said. “I know it helps me.”

The youngster said his parents thought the project was “a really good idea,” as does his teacher.

“During this time of year, school becomes very stressful for students and teachers,” Hill said.  “Realizing that being shown encouragement may help alleviate some of this stress, Colin took the initiative to create a motivational tool where a classmate can select an encouraging statement to help his fellow students.  It is quite refreshing to have a young person show compassion like this toward his peers.”