Zach Hofer's school held a surprise welcome home assembly for him today where fellow students and the principal congratulated Zach on his huge accomplishment.
The Grade 8 student at Codrington Public School just arrived home this week after walking, running and cycling 400 km to Ottawa to raise awareness and funds for youth mental health and a new unit at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.
Zach said he was 'pretty happy and excited' to be back at school and attend the assembly.
But his 30-day trek to Ottawa seems unreal now.
"It actually feels like it never happened. It's just a dream," said Zach, who is pretty tired after the marathon.
"My favourite part was walking through Peterborough with my brother," he said. "I guess it's because I don't get to see him that often so it was kind of nice."
His brother is 20. The young fundraising phenom also had a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
"He's very tall. It was overwhelming. It was really cool. We got him to sign a couple of things, our poster,a few other things.
We only had like 5 minutes."
Zach was inspired to hit the road to help young people who struggle with mental health issues after seeing some kids suffering at school and his mom's battle with depression.
"I just felt that it could've been better if she got help when she was younger, so just it doesn't happen to other people."
Principal Peter Mclean called the assembly a 'great thank you' to Zach for his great deed.
"He is an incredible kid," Mclean said. "I've been a principal for ten years. I've been an educator for 24 years and truly it's rare to find a student that is that selfless. To have him follow a dream like that is truly incredible."
Mclean noted Zach's legacy at the school where now young children learn math by measuring in 'Zach' kilometres and his impact on physical education with a focus on mental health.
And the impact of Zach Makes Tracks is far reaching.
"I was at a principal's meeting yesterday," said Mclean. "I was in a meeting with 19 other principals and it was the talk of the entire meeting. 'Can Zach come and speak at my school. We've raised money. How can we get it to you? '
The school raised $3,000 for Zach Makes Tracks.
"We actually can't believe that it's happened," said Zach's mom Shelley Hofer. "Three years ago, Zach had a dream and he sat in his bed and wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. He wanted to help kids and he wanted to help kids suffering with mental health and all of a sudden here we are. He did it. We made it happen."
Zach has raised more than $70,000 and inspired many conversations about mental health.
He says the best part about being back is being with his friends who say Zach is 'super inspiring.'
Zach wants to be a pediatricion when he grows up 'to help kids' and is already talking about more fundraising efforts in the future.
Step-dad Derek Clark rode, walked and ran at Zach's side for the entire journey. His highlight was the climax in Ottawa.
"Every emotion you can think all at once when we crossed that finished line," said Derek.
"It was an absolute honour and a privilege for me to be side by side by Zach the whole entire way because I'm the only one that got to share that part of the journey. I'm the one that got to hear him singing and rapping and beat boxing and just fartin' around being a typical 13-year-old on the side of the road."
For Shelley, the highlight is all the messages she has received from parents.
She believes Zach's highlight is yet to come.
"I think the highlight is going to be when he gets a bit older and realizes the impact he's had," said Shelley.
Donations can be made at www.ZachMakesTracks.ca
