It's been said that hard work always pays off, and that's exactly what it's done for the students of O'Connell Middle School who worked so hard to perform well on the CSAPs.

Students have saved up their quarters all school year for the school's CSAP Retaliation carnival and fundraiser.

Principal Pati Montgomery donned a hot-pink wetsuit and pink cap as students purchased tickets to try their luck at plunging her into the dunk tank. Teachers had whipped cream pies thrown in their faces and some of the bald staffers were emblazoned with head tattoos.

"We have the best teachers in the whole world. The carnival was their idea," said Montgomery. "The students worked so hard, but we want them to know that with hard work comes a great time afterwards."

With so much pressure during CSAP testing week, this is how one Jeffco school is celebrated the hard work of their students.

Story by Melissa Reeves/Jeffco Public Schools