Today, 2nd graders from FAME Academy at Brookhill, HEART Academy at Newman, iAcademy at Athens Elementary, & SPARK Academy at Cowart filled the Athens Performing Arts Center. 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 Limestone 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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- Showing off their Helping Hands Graduation Certificate!
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- We are so thankful to Chick-fil-a for their continued support of Athen City School students!
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- Excited to celebrate, honor heroes, and take their pledges!
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- These Athens City Schools students are excited to honor their heroes and get their Hands on Liberty graduation certificates!
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- Zariyah, Madolyn, Cora, Natalie, and Alex lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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- Brooklyn and Petvea proudly honored Jenny Byrd as their class’s Helping Hands Hero, recognizing her strength and dedication as a custodian who continues to inspire others.
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- Harper and Greta celebrated her dad, Caleb Durden, as her class’s Helping Hands Hero, honoring the love and support he shows every day.
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- Tripp recognized Diane Trout as his class’s Helping Hands Hero, appreciating the positive impact she makes.
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- Chesley proudly chose Katie Harbin as her class’s Helping Hands Hero, celebrating the care she provides in the library.
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- Foster honored Laura Smith as his class’s Helping Hands Hero, grateful for the compassion she shows as a nurse.
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- Miles celebrated his dad, Martin Ezell, as his class’s Helping Hands Hero, recognizing both his love and his service as a firefighter.
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- With appreciation, Anthony honored Samuel Wright as his class’s Helping Hands Hero, grateful for the encouragement and support he gives.
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- Cole proudly honored his Mimi, Mrs. Michelle Weathers, as his class’s Helping Hands Hero, celebrating the encouragement she gives as a reading coach.
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- Maximiliano recognized Mrs. Angelica Vega as his class’s Helping Hands Hero, appreciating the support she provides as an English language teacher.
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- Kinsley chose Ms. Breaonna Jackson as her class’s Helping Hands Hero, recognizing the positive difference she makes each day.
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- Levi and Ellie honored Mr. Aaron Freeman as their class’s Helping Hands Hero, celebrating the joy and creativity he brings as a music teacher.
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- Allen proudly recognized Mrs. Sara Davis as his class’s Helping Hands Hero, grateful for the support she gives as a K–2 auxiliary teacher.
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- Daniel celebrated Officer Andy Pike as his class’s Helping Hands Hero, honoring the dedication he shows as a school resource officer.
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- Demario honored Mrs. Vicki Waldrup as his class’s Helping Hands Hero, recognizing the positive impact she has on students each day.
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- Olivia proudly recognized Nurse Lori Vaughn as her class’s Helping Hands Hero, thankful for the care she provides to students.
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- Laikyn and Presley proudly honored Gage Tolton as their class’s Helping Hands Hero, celebrating the positive impact he has made in their lives.
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- Novah and Messiah recognized Vanessa Brown as their class’s Helping Hands Hero, appreciating the love and support she shows each day.
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- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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- Leading the crowd in song!
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- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- Singing along to our tour anthem!
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- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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- We were honored to spend the morning celebrating with our heroes, students, donors, administrators, and special guests. Thank you to Superintendent Beth Patton for celebrating with us!