It's the tenth year the student Wisconsin Education Association (WEA) has brightened up school districts in the state.

It's no easy chore to spruce up three public schools in a weekend, but more than 200 Wisconsin college students gave up their weekends to invest in their future careers.

"Doing this, it helps the school know that there's other people out there that care and that they care about the students they have in their school,” said UW-Platteville student Christi Rischar.

These future teachers spent the weekend painting walls and murals, hanging shelves and decorating the Prescott high school, middle school and Malone Elementary School.

"The school just looks totally different than it did a day ago,” said Julie Vanderwagen, fourth grade teacher at Malone Elementary School.

"I can hardly wait for our kids to walk in tomorrow morning and see that they're going to be so excited,” said kindergarten teacher Sue Haasis.

Organizers say the “Outreach to Teach” program has helped schools all over the state, including Fond du Lac, Beloit and Loyal.

"We're coming into the community to brighten up the learning environments in a school,” said WEA Secretary Annika Gangeness.

She says it's because budget cuts have left school districts unable to make repairs.

"Our rooms hadn't been painted in many years. The difference was so evident to me," said Haasis.

Rischar: "It just helps me realize that we're all in this together and that all teachers just need to work together."

Fundraisers helped supply the students with the tools to make thousands of dollars in improvements.

And the teachers say they're necessary.

"If you're happy you learn better,” said Haasis.

The college students say it's a community effort to get the job done.

"The fire fighters served breakfast this morning and the masons did dinner last night,” said Gangeness.

But everyone appreciates the work they're doing.

"Thank you to every one of these students that was here,” said Haasis.

"Thank you. Thank you for coming and doing this,” said Vanderwagen.

The Wisconsin Education Association says it picked the Prescott School District because it saw just how badly the schools were in need of the extra attention.

Prescott was only one of three applicants.