Today, 2nd graders from Calera & Wilsonville Elementary Schools filled the Shelby County Arts Council Auditorium. 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 >
- Showing off their Helping Hands Graduation Certificate!
- These Shelby County students are excited to honor their heroes and get their Helping Hands graduation certificates!
- Shelby County 2nd grade students are getting ready to honor their heroes!
- Knox & Amelia lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Braleigh shared why her mom, Wilsonville Elementary’s reading coach, Taylor Tindmore was chosen as a Helping Hands Hero!
- WIlsonville Elementary Para, Tracey Padgett shines as an example and that is why they chose to honor her as their Helping Hands Hero. Sadie shares all about her!
- Claire tells everyone why, Calera School Nurse Caiti Kilpatrick Brooks is chosen as a Helping Hands Hero and even though she couldn’t be here in person, the she was there in spirit and picture!
- Firefighter Maurell Holt shows these students what bravery and perseverance truly looks like, and that’s why his daughter, Nyla honored him as a Helping Hands Hero!
- Harper proudly recognized Investigator Sara Beth Watkins as her Helping Hands Hero, sharing how much she does to protect and serve her community
- Everly tell everyone why Firefighter Chief Sean Kendrick is honored as a Helping Hands Hero because he has shown the true meaning of what a hero looks like!
- Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
- U.S.A.!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- We were honored to spend the afternoon celebrating with our heroes, students, donors, and special guests. Thank you to Peg Hill & David Bobo – Shelby County School Board Members, Nathan Kendrick- Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for celebrating with us!
- Thank you to School Board President David Bobo & School Board Member Peg Hill for encouraging these 2nd grade students to be grateful and appreciative of those around them!






















