Today, 2nd graders from Oneonta Elementary School filled the Oneonta 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 Blount County Community Alliance. With their help, we are teaching, inspiring and empowering our Next Great Americans.

Become a sponsor. Power the movement.

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 >