Today, 2nd graders from Decatur City Schools filled the Austin Junior High School 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 Morgan 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 >
- Ayonna, Edy, Henry, Demarco, Beckham, Ar’eyae, Marleigh, Rosy, Lenny, Noelia, and Audra lead students, heroes, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance!
- Adrian from Austinville Elementary told us all about his class’s hero: Angie Jones!
- Dawn Batts, assistant principal at Banks- Caddell, is the Helping Hands Hero for Maria’s class!
- Ripken and Nora introduced us to their Benjamin Davis Elementary Helping Hands Hero, Leslie King!
- Nurse Nancy McCreless shows Serephene’s class at Chestnut Grove Elementary what a real Helping Hand looks like!
- Isabella from Eastwood Elementary honored her class hero, Sandy Johnson!
- Lisa Newberry is the Helping Hands Hero for Emma’s class!
- School counselor Lauren Barton shows Liliana’s class at Frances Nungester Elementary what a Helping Hand looks like!
- Marquis Puryear “Miss P” inspires Leyani’s class at Julian Harris Elementary to be the best they can be!
- Oak Park Elementary assistant principal LeighAnn Pannell lends a Helping Hand everyday, and that’s what makes her the hero for Aaray, Ryan, and Ever’s class!
- Custodian Tonya Gregory shows Addie and Zy’Aire’s class at Walter Jackson Elementary what a real Helping Hand looks like!
- Baleigh, Magdaly, and their classmates from West Decatur Elementary honored Sarah Henderson!
- Londyn and Malakai from Woodmeade told us all about their hero: Tina Saylor!
- Now it’s time for Decatur City 2nd graders to take the Helping Hands Pledge!
- 2nd grade students pledged to “be responsible for what they say and do, in their country, community, family, and school.”
- Students, heroes, and teachers alike singing along to our tour anthem!
- Super Citizens singing loud and proud!
- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- 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 Dr Wanda Davis!




















