That happened to me over the weekend.

The first warm fuzzy came from 8-year-old Max Miley, the son of Billy and Katie. A third-grader at C.V. Bush Elementary School in Jamestown, Max and his fellow students on the city’s south side were challenged last week by principal Dan Bracey to show off their creative side by posting their at-home projects to the school’s Facebook page. If 50 youngsters participated, Bracey said he would dump a bucket of water on his head.

When 57 children, including Max, took him up on the offer, Bracey doused himself, posting a video to social media to “celebrate” their ingenuity.

Max’s project made me smile.

In this file photo, Cleveland Browns tight end Stephen Carlson breaks a tackle after making a pass reception during an NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Courtesy of Zoom, the Jamestown native made a connection with a class of fifth-graders at Persell Middle School in Jamestown last week. AP photo

A fan of all sports, he pulled out his LEGO collection the other day and built a replica of McElrath Gymnasium at Jamestown High School where his dad recently completed his 17th season as the boys junior varsity basketball coach. Max’s creation features baskets at each end, bleachers on all four sides and a red-letter J at center court.

“It didn’t even take him a full afternoon (to complete),” Katie said. “It’s not something I could have come up with, that’s for sure. It didn’t take him long at all.”

Katie said Bracey plans another student “challenge” this week.

Meanwhile, fifth-grade students in Ken Ricker’s class at Persell Middle School in Jamestown did some “building” of a different sort last week. Courtesy of Zoom, the youngsters forged an online connection with two Jamestown natives who have made it to the top of their respective professions.

Cleveland Browns tight end Stephen Carlson (Jamestown High School Class of 2015) and University of Alabama men’s basketball assistant coach Bryan Hodgson (JHS Class of 2005) answered questions from the fifth-graders on Thursday and Friday respectively.

“Stephen and Bryan were very similar in that I knew how good their message would be, but it exceeded my expectations,” Ricker said. “They sold the kids on doing the right things.”

Carlson’s personal journey began in high school where he was a two-time first-team all-state selection, and helped the Red Raiders to a state championship in 2014.

Upon graduation, he moved on to Princeton University, but barely saw the field until his junior year. It was then that his career took off, capped by being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League in 2019. By midseason last fall, he had earned a spot on the 53-man roster and even started several games down the stretch. His first career reception was for a touchdown against arch-rival Pittsburgh in a Thursday night prime-time game.

Hodgson’s road to the top of NCAA Division I basketball coaching ranks began at SUNY Fredonia before including stops at Jamestown Community College, Midland (Texas) College and the University at Buffalo. He accepted an assistant’s job from Alabama head coach Nate Oats a year ago.

“I had a student ask (Bryan) if he ever felt like he didn’t belong,” Ricker said. “Bryan said he made a point to never feel that way. If you want to be something special, you have to believe in yourself.

“It was such an incredible question and incredible answer.”

The “virtual” visits by Carlson and Hodgson continued a series of JHS alumni appearances in front of Ricker’s students. Physician assistant Joanna Olson and attorney John LaMancuso were among a group of community members who made in-class visits prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s always been about the Jamestown connection,” Ricker said.

The fifth-grade teacher said he has a daily virtual connection with his 21 students during the academic pause.

“I don’t have to, but I want to,” Ricker said.

It’s apparent the students like it, too.

While Max and dozens of students at Bush Elementary took their principal’s suggestion to heart late last week, Ricker’s students were plugged in as well when they connected via Zoom with Carlson and Hodgson.

“With the three (in-person presenters) in our room (before schools were closed) the kids were totally engaged,” Ricker said. “You don’t know with Zoom and you can’t predict in 20 different households (how they’ll react), but they were all engaged.”

Congratulations to all.