Today, 2nd graders from Edgewood, Hall Kent, & Shades Cahaba Elementary Schools filled the Edgewood Elementary 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 Jefferson 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 >
- Emmanuel, Will, and Carter lead students, heroes, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance!
- Ellen from Shades Cahaba Elementary told us all about her class’s hero: math coach Chessie Tankersley!
- “Mr Sam” McGinnis, maintenance technician at Shades Cahaba, is the Helping Hands Hero for August’s class!
- Dev introduced us to his Shades Cahaba Elementary Helping Hands Hero, school secretary Hollie Pritchett!
- STEM teacher Christie Crigger lends a Helping Hand everyday, and that’s what makes her a hero to Anne’s class!
- Richard Conners, veteran of the United States Air Force, is the Helping Hands Hero for Luke’s class!
- Ruthie Grace from Hall Kent Elementary honored her class hero, Officer Weldon Walker!
- Officer Dalton McMAnus, Nora’s dad, inspires her class at Hall Kent Elementary to be the best they can be!
- Lyla, Clive, and Coco, from Edgewood Elementary told us all about their hero: Mrs Lacey!
- Coach Harvey shows Jules and Eleanor’s class at Edgewood Elementary what a Helping Hand looks like!
- Tinsley and Eli told us about their Helping Hands Hero: Mrs. Marlo!
- Edgewood Elementary 2nd graders Brooks and Mary Hunt honored two wonderful heroes– service dog Foxie, and her handler and librarian Mrs. Woodruff!
- 2nd graders Benjamin, Lila, and Karter honored Benjamin’s dad-superintendent Dr. Justin Hefner- as their Helping Hands Hero
- Nolan, Kinley, and Cali honored counselor Alison Hill as their class Helping Hands Hero!
- 2nd graders Simon and Isaac shared about their class Helping Hands Hero, Officer Hornsby!
- Sara Helen, Charlotte, and Daniel took the stage to tell us why principal Dr. Laura Tate is a true Helping Hands Hero for Edgewood Elementary!
- Jones and Ella honored Detra Gilliam as their Helping Hands Hero!
- Now it’s time for Homewood City 2nd graders to take their Helping Hands Pledge!
- 2nd grade students pledged to “be responsible for what they say and do, in their country, community, family, and school.”
- Mr. Palmer himself led the students in their Helping Hands Pledge!
- Pledging to be a Helping Hand!
- Mr. Palmer says “you’ve gotta do good to be good,” and these students pledged to do just that.
- 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.!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Students, heroes, and teachers alike singing along to our tour anthem!
- We were incredibly honored to spend the morning celebrating with our heroes, students, and guests, including Superintendent Dr Justin Hefner, Representative Kelvin Datcher, Representative David Faulkner, and Homewood City Council members Nick Sims and Walter Jones! Thank you for a great celebration!
- Dr Hefner was honored as a hero by his son Benjamin’s class!


































