Today, 2nd graders from Forest Oaks Elementary filled the cafteria. After finishing 10 weeks in the Super Citizen 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” DVD 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 >
- 2nd graders are excited to celebrate!
- Emillio & Claire lead their classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Kendall & Rhys honored Bryan Scroggins as a Helping Hands Hero.
- SRO Gary Goza was honored as a Helping Hands Hero by Camilla & Caleb.
- Bailey and her friend Owen honored her dad Jerome Russell as their Helping Hands Hero.
- Joey Beck was honored as a Helping Hands Hero by his daughter Joci and her friend Brady.
- Kate & Ayla honored Nurse Tracy Watson as their Helping Hands Hero.
- Taking their Helping Hands Pledge.
- 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.”
- Our heroes sang along with the students!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Forest Oaks Helping Hands Heroes, the students that honored them, Sgt. Shane Plyler with the Shelby County Sheriff Office and our friend Brad Vail with Alfa Insurance!
- Brad Vail with Alfa had a very special Helping Hands graduate today – his daughter Payton!