Today, 2nd graders from Mt. Laurel, Forest Oaks, & Chelsea Park Elementary School filled the Chelsea Park Elementary 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 >
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- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
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- Students and teachers alike singing along to our tour anthem!
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- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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- The students and heroes filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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- Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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- Arya told us all about how her Helping Hands Hero, school nurse Anna-Michael Longshore, inspires her class to be Super Citizens!
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- Sadie, from Chelsea Park Elementary, took the stage to tell us why Mrs. Hannah Burton, assistant principal and her mom, is a true Helping Hands Hero!
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- Hayes honored computer teacher Julie Middleton as his class Helping Hands hero!
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- Ms. Cindy Gasway was honored as a Helping Hands Hero by Chelsea Park, and Millie Grace told us all about it!
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- Khalil from Chelsea Parks honored Kayla Yarbrough as his Helping Hands Hero.
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- Chelsea Park 2nd grader Judah’s Helping Hands hero is Mrs. Alisha Cooper.
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- Alex and Allie Mae honored Forest Oaks English learning teacher, Ms. Maria Tarry, as their class Helping Hands Hero!
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- Colt and Evie took the stage to tell us about their 2nd grade Helping Hands Hero, Ms. Megan Stancil!
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- Jack and Gray told us all about why their 2nd grade class at Forest Oaks chose to honor SRO Ken Prady as their Helping Hands Hero!
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- Harper and Kailey honored reading coach Taylor Colburn as their class Helping Hands hero!
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- Brielle and Luke, from Forest Oaks Elementary, took the stage to tell us why Jaden Chatman is a true Helping Hands Hero!
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- Brynn, a 2nd grader at Mt. Laurel, honored Lauren Valentine as his class’s Helping Hands Hero!
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- Winters told us all about how his Helping Hands Hero, Patrick McCain, inspires his class to be Super Citizens!
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- Beau took the stage to tell us about his 2nd grade Helping Hands Hero, Mr. Wilbert Hamilton!
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- Naomi from Mt. Laurel told us about her 2nd grade class’s Helping Hands hero: her mom, Ms. Ashley McKennedy!
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- Quinn, Rhett, and Dakoda lead students, heroes, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance!
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- Our amazing heroes and community leaders!
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- We are thankful to everyone who made our event possible, especially Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks, Representative Corley Ellis, and school board member Amber Polk!
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- We are so thankful for the support of leaders like Dr. Brooks, Ms. Polk, and Representative Ellis!
