Fifth grader Chloe Johnson was surprised and … speechless as a video of her father, a Staff Sergeant stationed away from home, appeared on the big screen in front of all her classmates during their Super Citizen Program graduation being held on March 18, 2014 for five Monroe Co. schools.
Fifth graders from JF Shields, JU Blacksher, Excel, Monroeville Middle, and Monroe Intermediate were in the midst of honoring seven local heroes in a ceremony held at Alabama Southern Community College.
As Staff Sergeant Johnson’s message faded, there was hardly a dry eye in the room. Another hero honored today, Faye Carstarphen, secretary at Monroe Elementary, was also honored today. “ When they told me, at first ,I cried,” she said. “You know, I always try to do my best to be an example for them.”
It was clear that one of the program’s mottos: “When you honor a hero, you become a hero,” had taken hold of these schools and the communities that support them.
These unforgettable educational experiences (and the 10-weeks of crucial lessons in civics, character, financial literacy, career exploration and American history) were made possible because of great corporate citizens: Alabama Power and Georgia Pacific. They funded Liberty Learning Foundation’s donation of Super Citizen Program Resource Kits, teacher training, volunteer coordination and the Next Great Americans Bus Tour that brought the powerful kickoff events to town months ago.
Both Alabama Power’s Lisa Laye and also Georgia Pacific’s Rick Kimble returned for the graduation to show their unwavering support for the youth and community.
More information about Liberty Learning Foundation, the Super Citizen Program and how the program transforms entire communities at https://libertylearning.org