Today, 2nd graders from Edgewood, Hall Kent, & Shades Cahaba Elementary Schools filled the Edgewood Elementary School Gymnasium. 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 Jefferson 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 >
- Asher, Ava Gray, & Abby lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Music Teacher, Hailey Pepper is honored by Shades Chaba 2nd graders as a Helping Hands Hero and Camp tell us all the reasons why!
- Ayana introduced us to STEM teacher Ashley Shelffield, Shades Chabas’ Helping Hands Hero! Harriett accepted the Helping Hands award on her behalf!
- Shades Cahaba students chose Coach Sophia Fast as a Helping Hands Hero because of all she does in their school community. Bo shares all about her
- Piper led her friends in thanking Mary Bertram as a Shades Cahaba Helping Hands Hero!
- Danna honors Rebecca Hughes as Shades Cahaba Helping Hands Heroes for all she do for their school community!
- Watson & Jameson introduces everyone to Mrs. Jessyca Grimmett as a Hall Kent Helping Hands Hero, Ms. Gwen accepts on her behalf.
- Penelope & Leonard tell everyone why Officer Bullard is honored as a Hall Kent Helping Hands Hero because he has shown the true meaning of what a hero looks like!
- Judy Burgins is honored as a Hall Kent Helping Hands Hero. Judah tells everyone all about why they chose her! Ms. Hunter accepted on her behalf!
- James & Sara led their friends in thanking Julie Tapscott as an Edgewood Helping Hands Hero!
- Marlee & Pierce tells everyone why they at Edgewood chose Carole Glenn as a Helping Hands Hero!
- Dewey & Tessa ANn tell everyone all about why they chose Frank Morgan as a Helping Hands Hero for all he does for their school community! (
- Lucy & Vincent tell everyone all about, Assistant Principal Devon Davis, and why they chose him as an Edgewood Helping Hands Hero.
- Edgewood Assistant Principal Erin Klotz is honored as a Helping Hands Hero and Warren & Ella shares all the reasons why!
- Eloise & Will tells everyone about why Edgewood 2nd graders chose Ms. “Tori” LaToria Purifoy as their Helping Hands Hero!
- Isaac took the mic to tell us all about why Nurse Cynthia Geer is chosen as an Edgewood Helping Hands Hero!
- Ms. Haley Lewis shines as an example of a Super Citizen and that is why they chose to honor her as an Edgewood Helping Hands Hero. Claire & Alejandro shares all about her!
- Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- U.S.A.!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- Leading the crowd in song!
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- We were honored to spend the morning celebrating with our heroes, students, donors, administrators, and special guests. Thank you to City of Homewood Chief of Staff JJ Bischoff, Dr. Cristy York, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction & Cristy York Assistant Superintendent of Instruction for celebrating with us!




























