Today, 850 students from eleven Etowah County schools gathered at Southside High School Auditorium. After finishing 10 weeks in the Super Citizen Program, they are gathered to celebrate their accomplishments and honor local heroes from the stage.
4th and 5th graders were in attendance from Hokes Bluff School, Gaston Elementary, Ivalee Elementary, Duck Springs Elementary, Whitesboro Elementary, Glencoe Middle School, Highland Elementary, Carlise Elementary, West End Elementary, Southside, Elementary and John S. Jones Elementary. That’s a HUGE celebration!
These students have learned their important roles in America’s future thanks to an immersive experience in civic, character, financial literacy and social studies. And in the closing piece of the program, Torch Teams, 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 Authentic Liberty Replicas . They learned that “when you honor a hero, you become a hero!”
Honored today were:
  • Carlise: Mike Turner, Willie Johnson, Dale Johnson, Jason Brothers which was a video shown on the screen (military)
  • Duck Springs: William Samples
  • Gaston: Becky Bagley, Nannie Ferguson, Craig Tyler, Donna Huff, Dr. Alan Cosby
  • Highland: Captain Jason Argo
  • Hokes Bluff: Cindy Gazaway, Randall Gardner, Mark Bell, Chris Colvard, Jennifer Horne
  • Ivalee: Jake Mayo and Bert Brothers
  • John Jones: John Croyle, Jay Davis, Ryan Preston, Michelle Hunt, Adam Ferrer.
  • Southside: Neal Maddox, Patricia Falcon, Bobbie Keenum, Ryan Condy, 1st Lt. Ryan White
  • Westend: Avery Thrasher(deceased), Mason Greeson, Barry Holderfield(deceased)
  • Whitesboro: Stacey Tarvin and Kristy Towns

Today’s event and the donation of Super Citizen teaching kits was made possible by passionate community sponsors. With their help, we are teaching, inspiring and empowering our Next Great Americans.

Did you see today’s event? Were you as emotional as we were? Will you help us continue this amazing mission? 

Please consider making a gift of any amount today >

  • These Etowah County students hold their Super Citizen Certificate to show off their accomplishment.
    Students of Etowah County are proud of their Super Citizen Graduation Certificate.
    These girls are proud to show off their Super Citizen Graduation Certificate.

     

    These Etowah County students hold their Super Citizen Certificate to show off their accomplishment.
    Students of Etowah County are proud of their Super Citizen Graduation Certificate.
    These Etowah County students hold their Super Citizen Certificate to show off their accomplishment.

     

    Students of Etowah County are proud of their Super Citizen Graduation Certificate.
    These Etowah County students hold their Super Citizen Certificate to show off their accomplishment.
    This proud Super Citizen shows off his graduation certificate.

     

    The Super Citizens of Etowah County gear up for their graduation and the honoring of their heroes.
    These are the smiling faces of our next great Americans.
    Etowah County students as they prepare to graduate from the Super Citizen Program.

     

    These students of Etowah County show their excitement about honoring their torch team heroes.
    These are the smiling faces of our next great Americans.
    The celebration is started with a warm welcome from Dr. Cosby and the Pledge of Allegiance is led by Magon, Caitlyn, Kaliee, Sadie, Molly Kate, John Max, Makenzie, Jaelyn, Parker, Hope and Jackson.

     

    The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Magon, Caitlyn, Kaliee, Sadie, Molly Kate, John Max, Makenzie, Jaelyn, Parker, Hope and Jackson.
    Braden is seen here with his hero and dad, Mike Turner.
    This student honors a very special Torch Team hero at todays Super Citizen Celebration.

     

    Hero Dale Johnson is seen here with classroom representative Allie.
    Willie Johnson is honored as Lanese’s classroom hero.
    Will and Brock honor their mom and hero, Becky Bagley.

     

    Zoie and Lilly honor their classroom hero, Nannie Ferguson.
    Craig Tyler is honored today as the classroom hero by Mary Elizabeth.
    Donna Huff is honored as the classroom hero for Caleb and Callie.

     

    Dr. Cosby is honored by two Glencoe Elementary students, Aida and Kate.
    Captain Jason Argo is honored as a Highlands Elementary classroom hero.
    Cindy Gazaway is honored as the classroom hero for Ella.

     

    Hero Randall Gardner is honored by Bella.
    Mark Bell is honored by Zoey as her classroom hero.
    Nurse Jennifer Horne is honored as Kadyn’s classroom hero.

     

    Officer Deason is honored today as Savannah’s classroom hero.
    This super hero was honored today with an Authentic Statue of Liberty Replica.
    Jake Mayo is honored as a classroom hero by Anna.

     

    Hero Bert Brothers is honored as a classroom hero for Ivalee student, Thad.
    John Croyle of The Big Oak Ranch is honored today by Allie.
    Today Mia honored her classroom hero, Jay Davis.

     

    Hero Ryan Preston was honored today by John Jones student J.T.
    Michaela and Emma honor their classroom hero
    Hero Adam Ferrer is honored today by these two students, Kynleigh and Arit.

     

    Neal Maddox is honored by Savanna and McKenzie as their Torch Team hero.
    Lane and Cameron honored their classroom hero, Patricia Falcon, today at the Super Citizen Celebration.
    Allie and Elana honored their classroom hero Ryan Condy with Authentic Statue of Liberty Replica.

     

    Haleigh and Gabe honored their classroom hero, Bobbie Keenum today at the Super Citizen Graduation Celebration.
    RIchard White accepted the award on behalf of his son and Hero 1st Lt. Ryan White. Ryan joined by video for the celebration. Students London and Landry honored him.
    The family of Avery Thrasher is seen here accepting his Torch Team Hero award from Avari.

     

    This special hero Mason Greeson is seen here accepting his award from Hannah.
    The wife of the late Barry Holderfield is seen here accepting his award from Ashton.
    Hero Stacey Tarvin is seen here accepting her Torch Team award from Kayden.

     

    Kristy Towns is seen here accepting her Torch Team hero award from JD.
    Kristen Sharp leads the song “YOU in the USA” with the help of Patrick, Jaemeson, Seth, Isaiah, Lauren, Alyssa, Krystin, Carlie, Karli, Blayke and Bethani.
    Etowah County students are seen here singing the Super Citizen theme song “You in the USA.”

     

    The 2015 Super Citizen Graduation Celebration for Etowah County Schools.
    Seen here are the students and their heroes honored today at the Super Citizen Graduation Celebration.