Today, 2nd graders from Barkley Bridge, Crestline, & F.E. Burleson Elementary Schools filled the Hartselle 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 >
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- Simone, Emory, and Adelaide lead students, heroes, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance
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- Olivia, of Barkley Bridge Elementary, honored Principal Laura Lamb as their class Helping Hands Hero!
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- Charlie and Tinsley told us all about how their hero, First Priority leader Justin Barnes, inspires his class to be Super Citizens!
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- Tripp of Crestline Elementary honored SRO Robert Finn as his class Helping Hands Hero!
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- LB Eubanks from Crestline Elementary honored his class’s Helping Hands Hero: Environmental Science teacher Kim Johnson.
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- F.E Burleson 2nd grade honored veteran Justin Cagle as their hero, and his daughter Shelby told us why he is such a wonderful Helping Hands Hero!
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- Kylen honored math teacher Beth Balch as F.E. Burleson Elementary’s Helping Hands Hero!
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- Jayceline told us all about why her class at F.E. Burleson Elementary chose to honor teacher Tera Pressnell as her class Helping Hands Hero!
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- Lunch lady Dee Pressley was honored as a Helping Hands Hero by F.E. Burleson Elementary, and Marlee told us all about it!
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- Audrey honored Navy veteran and substitute teacher Linda Huff as F.E. Burleson Elementary’s Helping Hands Hero!
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- Now it’s time for Hartselle City 2nd graders to take the Helping Hands Pledge!
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- These students placed their hands on their heart and promised to be a Super Citizen.
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- Mr. Palmer says “you’ve gotta do good to be good,” and these students pledged to do just that.
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- Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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- The students and heroes filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
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- Our amazing heroes and community leaders, including Mayor Randy Garrison, Cindy Anders of Cerrowire, Curriculum Coordinator Tina Towers, and Amber Fortenberry of the Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce.