Today, 1st and 2nd graders from Southeastern School and Appalachian School filled the Southeastern School gymnasium. 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 Blount 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 >
- Owen and Levi lead students, heroes, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance!
- Michael honored his dad,Firefighter Adam Littlet, as one of Appalachian’s Helping Hands Hero.
- Paramedic Tyler Wilson is honorer as an Appalachian Helping Hands Hero and Olivia shares all about him!
- Natalie tells everyone why her Paster Tommy Ogle is honored as an Appalachian Helping Hands Hero!
- Coach Dewey Lewis is honored as a Southeastern Helping Hands Hero and Scott tells everyone all about him!
- Rosalee & Landen from Southeastern tell everyone why they chose Officer Jerry Stone as their Helping Hands Hero!
- Leland shares all about why Tricia Smith is chosen as a Southeastern Hepking Hands Hero!
- Nurse Cortnie Beasley is honored as a Southeastern Helping Hands Hero and Jayda shares all about her! Principal West accepts on her behalf!
- Now it’s time for Blount County 2nd graders to take their Helping Hands Pledge!
- These students placed their hands on their heart and promised to be a Super Citizen.
- Tisa Green with Woodmen Life presents Principal Susan West with an American Flag!
- Mrs. Anna Atkinson accepts the flag from Tisa Green with Woodmen Life
- Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- 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.!
- We are thankful to our heroes, guests, and everyone who made our event possible, especially Southeastern School principal Susan West, Superintendent Rodney Green. We were pleased to welcome, from Woodmen Life – TIsa Green, Mitchie Neel and Charity Cleveland with Blount County Education Foundation to our Helping Hands Celebration!


















