When Jerry Smith talks about his hero, he speaks of an individual who lives his life full of hope, works until he can't work any more and shows a determination Smith has never seen replicated in another person.

Smith, a physical education teacher at Canyon Creek Elementary School is talking about an 8-year-old boy, Garrison Hayes, a student at the school.

What started out as a sore knee when Hayes was 6-years-old turned out to be bone cancer. After a series of treatments including chemotherapy, Hayes' leg eventually had to be amputated to stop the cancer.

Now the second-grader has a prosthetic leg, but that hasn't altered his optimistic spirit, his charisma or his athletic prowess. All gifts Hayes was born with.

These gifts are easily recognized by those around him. The Children's Miracle Network, part of the The Children's Hospital Foundation named him a "Children's Miracle Network Champion."

He learned details of his "Champion Trip" at a Canyon Creek Elementary School Super Citizen Assembly on March 22. The Optimist Club sponsors the assembly eight times a year for the school and gives one student in each class a certificate, a book and a t-shirt.

"Hayes is a champion and a Super Citizen because people around him feel better because of him," Smith said.

Hayes will represent Colorado when he visits The White House and the nation's capitol on a trip to Washington, D.C. In addition, he and his family, which includes his parents and a brother and sister, will fly to Disneyland and enjoy time together. At the assembly, Wal-Mart presented Hayes with a check for a $500 shopping spree and Sunset Limos will take Hayes cruising in style.

"I'm thankful for all the things people are doing for me," Hayes said. "Because I know they don't have to do it."

Hayes said he can do a lot with his new leg, but the prospect of losing his real leg was certainly scary. Doctors at The Children's Hospital used a creative solution to traditional amputation. They decided to make use of Garrison's ankle joint by turning it backwards to act as a knee joint. Hayes' foot fits into a prosthetic leg and works to help him power the movement of the prosthetic, enabling him to do karate, ride his bike, play basketball and ski.

"This is all a little overwhelming," said Hayes' dad Chris. "People have been so kind and generous."