BOYNE CITY -- One by one Sandy Clausen called up to the front of her Boyne City High School classroom each member of student council. She then proceeded to tell each one why they make a difference.

"She told me that I was a person who really made a difference by being positive and being a leader," said Chase Petroelje, a senior at BCHS and student council president.

"It meant a lot to hear that I make a difference from a teacher," said Kelsey Kruzel, a BCHS junior.

Clausen, who is a math/physics teacher as well as student council co-advisor and softball coach, handed each student three purple wristbands, all inscribed with the words: "I make a difference."

As displayed during an assembly Thursday at the high school, it was a simple act of kindness that began to grow as each person passed it on.

Erin Zucker, an elementary music teacher and high school drama director, was in class with her fourth graders when Kelsey Kruzel came knocking on her door.

"She had a serious look on her face and my first reaction was 'oh no, now what?" Kruzel said.

But, Zucker says she could have never guess the real reason Kruzel was there at her door.

"She would really encourage me, telling me 'you were doing really great at that dance or I could really hear you singing in this part' and it really made a difference for me just to know I was a part of the play even though at times I felt like I wasn't."

"All of a sudden, this moment of 'now what' became 'oh my goodness," Zucker said. "It was so incredible to have a student who I admire as well to come back to me and tell me how much of an influence I've had on her life."

The purple wristband with the simple reminder is now worn with pride by Zucker and many others like her. More than 250 wristbands have been given out to friends, family members, and even complete strangers who have helped brighten up someone's day.

Several dozen students have already become involved, with more signing up to take part.

Clausen says the motivation behind the project is to get people talking.

"Don't be afraid to have those conversations with people who mean a lot to you, have it now, because you never know what tomorrow is going to bring," Clausen said.