Today, 475 students filled the Russellville 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.
These students have learned their important roles in America’s future thanks to an immersive experience in civics, character, financial literacy and social studies. And in the closing piece of the program, Torch Teams (or “Helping Hands” for the younger students), students are applying those crucial lessons in the real world.
Superintendent Heath Grimes – “As a Superintendent, leader, or business person we are talked to about Return on Investment – I believe this program has the greatest return on investment than anything else we really do in our schools. I know it’s important to read and do math well…I [also] think with the erosion [of values] in our society on a daily basis, this program helps restore that – it helps students to think about what it means to be a good neighbor and a good citizen to support something other than yourself.”
They chose heroes who embodied the traits of amazing citizens and read essays from stage before presenting them with
Authentic Liberty Replicas & Liberty Pins. They learned that “when you honor a hero, you become a hero!”
Today’s event and the donation of Super Citizen teaching kits was made possible by the Franklin County Community Alliance. With their help, we are teaching, inspiring and empowering our Next Great Americans.
See the Torch Teams & Helping Hands Heroes honored today in the photo gallery below!
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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2nd graders showing off their Helping Hands Graduation Certificate!
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These 3rd graders are excited to honor their heroes and get their graduation certificates!
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Isabella & Jack lead their classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Kinsley & Jaston honor Melanie Malone & her staff at Mission Medical Clinic as their Torch Team Heroes.
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Dr. RIck Wooten was honored as a Helping Hands Hero by Jasie.
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Addison honored her mom, Breanna Rikard as her Helping Hands Hero.
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Chelsea Miller was honored as a Helping Hands Hero by her daughter, Sadie and her friend Karlei.
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Collin honored his dad Johnny Malone as his Helping Hands Hero.
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SR Officer Rick Itter was honored as a Helping Hands Hero by Riley.
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Principal Ann Scott was honored as a Helping Hands Hero by Olivia.
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Benjamin honored Leslie De Leon as a Helping Hands Hero.
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Cindy McGee was honored as a Helping Hands Hero by Lorie.
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Khaliah honored Cassy Groce as a Helping Hands Hero.
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Harrison honored their school secretary, Cheri Wallace as a Helping Hands Hero.
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2nd graders taking their Helping Hands Pledge.
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These 3rd graders stand together to take their Super Citizen Plege.
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Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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The students filled the auditorium with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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Superintendent Heath Grimes shared with his students the importance of their role as Super Citizens!
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Russellville City Schools Torch Team & Helping Hands Heroes, the students that honored and Principals, Superintendent Grimes, along with a few of our donors! Thank you, Eric Hill, Councilman Jamie Harris, and Matt Cooper!