Today, 2nd graders from Calera Elementary School filled their cafeteria. After finishing 10 weeks in the Hands on Liberty Program, they are gathered to celebrate their accomplishments and honor local heroes from the stage.
Thanks to Mr. Palmer and his very hands-on teaching, these students have begun learning about their important roles in America’s future. The “Hands on Liberty” series and accompanying activities and lesson plans teach crucial lessons in civics, character, financial literacy and social studies to a tech-centric generation. And in the closing piece of the program, Helping Hands, students are applying those crucial lessons in the real world.
Students chose heroes who embodied the traits of amazing citizens and read essays from stage before presenting them with Liberty Pins. They learned that “when you honor a hero, you become a hero!”
See heroes honored and a glimpse of the exciting event in the gallery below!
Today’s event and the donation of Super Citizen teaching kits was made possible by the Shelby County Community Alliance. With their help, we are teaching, inspiring and empowering our Next Great Americans.
Were you at the event? See the photo gallery below to find yourself, to revisit the magic or watch it unfold for the first time >
-
-
They are excited to honor their heroes and get their graduation certificates!
-
-
Samiya and Laney lead students, heroes, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance!
-
-
Kaliyah told us about her 2nd grade class’s Helping Hands hero: Calera mayor Jon Graham!
-
-
2nd graders Charlotte and Dani honored investigator Sarah Beth Watkins as their Helping Hands hero
-
-
Presley took the stage to tell us about her 2nd grade Helping Hands Hero, her dad John Bores!
-
-
Kara told us all about how her Helping Hands Hero, Calera High School SRO Todd Pace (and her dad!), inspires her class to be Super Citizens!
-
-
Zoey told us about her 2nd grade class’s Helping Hands hero: SRO Rob Getts!
-
-
Now it’s time for Calera Elementary 2nd graders to take their Helping Hands Pledge!
-
-
Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
-
-
The students and heroes filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
-
-
We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
-
-
Waving their flags in song and celebration!
-
-
Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
-
-
These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
-
-
These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
-
-
These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
-
-
“Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
-
-
Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
-
-
We were incredibly honored to spend the afternoon celebrating with these heroes, students, and guests!