Grandparents can have a profound impact on a child's life. That impact was celebrated Friday morning at Maddox Middle School in Jasper.

The school's AMICI Junior club sponsored a morning brunch where club members, who are seventh and eighth grade students, could mingle with their grandparents.

"So many of us have been impacted by our grandparents," Maddox counselor Denise Timmons said. "This is an annual event that we hold to show our student's grandparents exactly how much impact they have. They are a valuable support system for these students."

Ruth Campbell, an area grandmother, spoke during the celebration. Campbell's granddaughter, Madeleine West, is a student at Maddox and member of the AMICI Junior club.

"I think Grandparents Day is another day created by Hallmark," Campbell joked. "They want to sell more cards."

Campbell said she finds joy in being a grandparent.

"There is a lot of joy in being a grandparent," she said. "Families depend on one another for identity and joy. Both young and old should cherish those relationships. I try to always appreciate the joy of being a grandparent, and I love the time that I get to spend with my grandchildren."

Her own grandmother served as a role model to her, Campbell said.

"My grandmother was an important part of my life," she said. "She was always there for me, and that's what I wanted to be as a grandmother."

Friday marked the sixth year for the grandparents event at Maddox.

"This event has grown each year," Timmons said. "It is something our students look forward to each year. We are happy to be able to honor our local grandparents, because they do some much for our students."