COEUR d'ALENE - Motivating younger kids to read has literally paid off for Lake City High School juniors.

The 41 students who participated in the Hundred Dollar Project challenge found out Wednesday evening that they won $1,000 for being "Literacy Heroes." They spent time last month reading and hanging out with Dalton Elementary School third graders, but many of the normally mild-mannered teens were dressed as superhero alter-egos, making reading that much cooler for the smaller kids.

"It's just awesome that we were able to help those kids and win that money," said junior Mackenzie Danly, 16.

Mackenzie led the LCHS Student Council juniors project team and had the idea to dress in superhero attire and enjoy an afternoon of reading, face painting and coloring with the third-graders.

"I just kind of thought it would be fun," she said. "I love little kids."

This was the third year for the Hundred Dollar Project, which is sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU) and encourages teens to be innovative and change the world. The LCHS team was chosen from 53 teams from Idaho and Washington. Judges narrowed it to 15 teams that received $100 to help with their projects, which ranged from promoting literacy to making blankets to give to foster children. The three top teams won a portion of the $5,000 total prize. Visitors to www.hundreddollarproject.org watched the teams' videos and submitted more than 1,800 votes for their favorite projects from Dec. 6-10.

LCHS ASB/student council adviser Mallory Cook said the Lake City juniors were "the most enthusiastic group of kids."

"They jumped into it immediately," Cook said. "They were so excited to spend time with (the third-graders) and read with them. I didn't have to do anything, I didn't have to supervise. They were fantastic role models."

The LCHS juniors will be using $500 of their prize money to continue projects in the community and the other $500 to help cover expenses of their senior ball next year.

Mackenzie, who dressed as Thing 2 for the "Literacy Heroes" activity, said she really enjoyed visiting with the elementary schoolers.

"They were really excited when we came in," she said. "They kept the conversation going. It was awesome just to be able to talk with them."

Mackenzie said reading is a lifelong skill and making it fun has a big impact on younger students.

"I just think that people don't realize how big of an impact they can have on each others' lives through the words they say or the little actions they do, like coloring with the little kids," she said. "They're probably never going to forget that."