Today, 2nd graders from Greystone, Rocky Ridge, Shades Mountain, and South Shades Elementary Schools filled the Performing Arts Center at Hoover High School. 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!
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- Marlee, Eli, Leo, and Crosby lead students, heroes, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance!
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- Liam took the stage to tell us about his class’s Helping Hands Hero, Mr. Louie Haynes!
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- Kate’s class chose to honor Ms. Jennifer Mayo as their hero!
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- Ms. Jessica Todd is the Helping Hands Hero for Sara’s class!
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- School Librarian Heather Negley helps Draper’s class become “knowledgable about the world around them,” and that’s what makes her a hero!
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- Harper told us all about what makes her mom, Drama Teacher Natalie Owens, a true Helping Hands Hero!
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- Cora’s class chose to honor Ms. Cynthia Smoot at their Helping Hands Hero!
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- Ms. Jessica Valencia is a true Helping Hand, and Shaker told us all about it!
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- Nanzeen shared about her class’s hero: Ms. Sara Riggins!
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- Ms. Renae Reese is this class’s Helping Hands Hero, and Oliver told us all about it!
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- Brynlee told us about her hero: her class’s very own teacher, Ms. CaMeisha Brown!
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- Beloved Crossing Guard Kyle Anderson shows Riya’s class what a true Helping Hand looks like!
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- Ziva and Wyatt took the stage to share about their hero, Ms. Haylee Jett!
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- Ryan and Bexley shared a speech about their class’s hero, Lunchroom staff member Ms. Teresa Honey!
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- Ms. Colette Tatum was selected as the Helping Hands Hero for Rosie and Skylar’s class!
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- Officer JaRon “JT” Thomas show’s Liam’s class how they can be true Super Citizens!
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- Justus and Penny shared about their counsellor, Ms. Nancy Foshee!
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- Officer Al Anger received his helping hand from his son, Austin, and Ali!
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- Sergeant Gregg Blackman is the Helping Hands Hero for Mial and Izzy’s class!
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- Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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- Singing along to our tour anthem!
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- Students and teachers alike singing along to our tour anthem!
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- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
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- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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- We were incredibly honored to spend the morning celebrating with our heroes, students, and incredible guests, especially School Board member Alan Paquette and Chief Learning Officer Chris Robbins!
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- Special shout-out to our heroes from the Hoover City Police force! Thank you for your service!
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 >