Green Tech High School students hit the streets of Albany Friday morning with the hope to deliver a message not commonly found in a textbook, according to Principal Dr. Paul Miller.  

"Its all about building them as young men and development. So all their classes the first week, they go to all eight classes, but it's about character building," Miller said.

They are giving random acts of kindness throughout the community. It is part of a scavenger hunt to bring in a little friendly competition between the 400 students.

Their list includes everything from buying a homeless person food, to helping someone with their groceries, or even something as simple as giving a hug. Naz’Ire Turner is a 11th grader participating in the day's events. 

"Hopefully that will inspire people to just get up and help smebody else if they see somebody in need," Turner said.

They also stopped by Mayor Kathy Sheehan's office to deliver a handwritten thank-you note. This is the fourth year the school has been doing this project. Miller says it's as important as ever, with gun violence rampant in the city.

"Our young black men are often looked upon negatively. As a community we have to come together and support the good that's going on," Miller said.

Friday's efforts will also go towards the 100 hours of community service the boys will need to graduate.

"We have almost 95 percent of our kids graduate every year, we have 100 percent college acceptance, but it all begins with their character and who they are as young men," Miller said.

For the first time, upperclassmen were joined by the school's new group of sixth graders. High school senior Eric Kersey says they are looked up to. 

"They feel like we're role models to them," Kersey said.

"They get to see the kids they look up to doing the right thing, so the goal is to train into these good habits," Miller said.

It's a simple gesture for random strangers who may need it more than ever. 

"That emotion, seeing that I'm doing really doing something good for someone else that helps our boys say 'you know what? I'm going to take that into my daily life,' " Miller said.