Today, 2nd graders from Elvin Hill & Shelby Elementary School 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 >
- Shelby County 2nd grade students are getting ready to honor their heroes!
- These Shelby County students are excited to honor their heroes and get their Helping Hands graduation certificates!
- Aubrey & Knox lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Boyd tell us all about why he chose Officer Nick Pierce as Helping Hands Hero!
- SRO Sasha Knighten shines as an example to the students of Elvin Hill Elementary and that is why they chose to honor her as their Helping Hands Hero. Tabby shares all about her!
- Brantlee, the son of Elvin Hill Assistant Principal Brittany Brasher, describes his mother as brave, helpful, and honest. These admirable qualities are just a few of the reasons she was selected as a Helping Hands Hero.
- Blake Bryant’s son Barrett shares that his dad is kind and helpful and this is just a couple of the reasons he chose him as a Helping Hands Hero.
- Mac honored a true hero, his dad, Master Sergeant Nick Contorno. It was an honor to have such a super citizen at our celebration!
- Shelby Elementary School Nurse Hannah Harris is chosen as a Helping Hands Hero and her daughter Mallory shares all about why!
- Mr. Palmer himself led the students in their Helping Hands Pledge!
- Pledging to be a Helping Hand!
- Taking their Helping Hands pledge!
- Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Sheriff John Samaniego, School Board President David Bobo, & Representative Russell Bedsole sing our tour anthem with the students!
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Students, heroes, and guests alike singing along to our tour anthem!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- Singing loud and proud!
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Students, heroes, and guests alike singing along to our tour anthem!
- U.S.A.!
- We love seeing students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- We were honored to spend the afternoon celebrating with our heroes, students, donors, and special guests. Thank you to David Bobo & Peg Hill – Shelby County Schools Board Members, Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego, Representative Russell Bedsole, Leon Johnston with Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge, Shelby Elementary Principal Stacy Aderholt, & Elvin Hill Assistant Principal Brittany Brasher for celebrating with us!


























