Today, 2nd graders from Pelham Ridge & Pelham Oaks Elementary Schools filled the Pelham Ridge Elementary School Cafeteria. 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 Shelby 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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- Spencer Kate and Mackenzie lead students, heroes, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance!
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- These Pelham City 2nd grade students are excited to honor their heroes and get their Helping Hands graduation certificates!
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- 2nd graders Henry and Millie, from Pelham Oaks, honored aide Sam Tatum as their Helping Hands hero.
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- Addie took the stage to tell us about her Helping Hands Hero, Hope White!
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- Esther told us all about how her Helping Hands Hero, ESL teacher Gema Madi, inspires her class to be Super Citizens!
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- 2nd grader Savanna shares about her class Helping Hands Hero, custodian Maria Guzman!
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- Tori took the stage to tell us why math interventionist Jackie Walker is a true Helping Hands Hero!
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- Natalie and Spencer Kate honored nurse Lindsay Wright as their class Helping Hands Hero!
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- 2nd grader Jameson honored Marla Thomas, Pelham Ridge assistant principal and his mom as his class Helping Hands Hero!
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- 2nd grader Amelia shares about her class Helping Hands Hero, Karina Venzor!
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- Koman honored his mom, Pelham Ridge principal Khadidr Jones, as his Helping Hands Hero!
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- Xavian and Alahna honored Ms. Maria Bautista as their class Helping Hands Hero!
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- Tiffany Grimes was honored as a Helping Hands Hero by Pelham Ridge Elementary, and Killian and Mariana told us all about it!
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- Grayson honored his dad, assistant principal Ed Wright, as his Helping Hands Hero.
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- Now it’s time for Pelham City 2nd graders to take their Helping Hands Pledge!
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- Mr. Palmer himself led the students in their Helping Hands Pledge!
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- Taking their Helping Hands pledge!
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- 2nd grade students pledged to “be responsible for what they say and do, in their country, community, family, and school.”
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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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- Leading the crowd in song!
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- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- Singing along to our tour anthem!
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- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
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- Students and teachers alike singing along to our tour anthem!
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- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
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- We are thankful to our heroes, guests, and everyone who made our event possible, especially Leon Johnson, Norma Rodgers, and Shannon Hubbard from the Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge, Rep. Kenneth Paschal, and school board members Shannon White and Bob O’Neil! Thank you for a wonderful Celebration!