Spread out along pedestrian ways and piled up in a collage of color and good vibes, hundreds of rocks painted with messages and artwork meant to make people smile and stay motivated are scattered across Branford, thanks to Branford High School Excel Club's "Rock The Town" project.

The rocks, all individually decorated, have been delighting those who come across them since the beginning of the month and beg passerby to stop for closer inspection (please leave the rocks for others to enjoy). Rocks reveal words of encouragement such as "Smile" and "Stay Strong," and share a spectrum of artwork including hopeful hearts, rainbows, high school mascots and much more. Kids out for a walk are especially loving discovering the rocks -- as of last week, they could even find "Nemo" -- in the form a clownfish-painted rock hanging out with a colorfully painted shell (see photos).

The community service project is something the club can do together, while staying safely apart, due to COVID-19 restrictions, said club president Oliva Vitale. Excel is a high school chapter club of Branford Exchange Club.

"When the pandemic first started, I was thinking of ways our club could support the community," said Vitale. "The 'Rock the Town' project seemed like the perfect things to help meet that need. Since many people are having to stay at home, we thought it would be nice to put inspirational rocks around town in popular spots for walking."

The painted rocks have cropped up on Branford's Town green and town center, at the Ben Callahan Memorial on Tabor Drive, at Branford Point and other areas. The club was also inspired to brighten up the daily paths traversed by frontline health providers working at Yale-New Haven Hospital, said Vitale, so that, "...when they walk into work, they know they are greatly appreciated and supported."

Vitale's mom, a nurse at the hospital, helped to deliver the decorated rocks to the site. Olivia Vitale said she also gives special thanks to club member Melanie Sachs, "...who worked really hard on this project with me!"

Club co-advisor Marian Montano said isn't the first community project the club has undertaken since the pandemic closed schools in March. They also recently collected items and donated backpacks filled with items to support children who have been displaced from their homes; as a part of Exchange Club's national platform supporting prevention of child abuse. Montano, a school counselor at BHS, co-advises the club with Sarah Vitelli, a BHS science teacher.

"What I love about this club is they're always trying to find ways to really reach out to people," said Montano.

In fact, the club would like to do more, beginning with finding other places around town where people would like to see the rocks on display. Montano said the club is especially encouraging representatives of senior residential living complexes and nursing homes to contact them for distribution.

BHS Excel Club was newly chartered in 2018 and currently has about 35 members in grades 9 – 12. The club's motto is, "...supporting Branford kids and families," said Montano.

"They're just a wonderful group of kids that are really community minded. Anything they can do to improve the town or reach out those who are less fortunate," she said. "They've been so great."

To contact BHS Excel Club with "Rock the Town" requests, email mmontano@branfordschools.org