Payne Elementary School students received books Friday through an annual project of the Selma Rotary Club.

Dictionaries have been given out over past years to students, but this year the club took another angle.

Selma Rotary Club President Manera Searcy shared the club’s four-way test students through a book named “The Power of Character and Friendship.”

“One of our areas of interest is education. The book spotlights the things that we say or do. It encourages students to consider truth, fairness, building good will and better friendships and being beneficial to all concerned,” Searcy said.

Searcy said the club will be going to visit all area schools before summer.

“Our motto is service above self. So, it makes me feel good to give these kids something they can use, and they can take with them forever. I’m glad to do it,” Searcy said.

Payne Elementary Principal Taurus Smith appreciates the Selma Rotary Club and other groups that work to make an impact in schools.

“I think the kids were excited about it. They were welcoming to receiving positivity from someone in the community. I think any word of encouragement is good,” Smith said. “I wanted them to realize people in the community care about them and wanted them to take that book, use it and read it. The power of making good decisions and having good character goes a long way,” Smith said.

Student Keshunti Green said she enjoyed Searcy and the books she bought.

“I like to read frequently and I need this book. This book will help me build on strengthening my friendships,” Green said.