Today, 2nd graders from Carver, Jeter, and Southview Primary Schools filled the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. 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 Lee 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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- Superintendent Kevin Davis welcomes Opelika City students, teachers, and heroes to their Hands On Liberty Celebration!
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- Aniya, Bennie, & Rose lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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- Chris Rhodes has shown Carver Primary students what a true Helping Hands Hero looks like and London shares all the reasons why he was chosen as their hero!
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- Carver Primary chose Jasmine Moore as a Helping Hands Hero because of all she does in the community to help military families and Chance tells us all about her!
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- School Resource Officer Cory Turner is honored as a Carver Primary Helping Hands Hero. Davaris & Ayleah tells everyone all about him!
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- Leland & Mary Becca lead their friends from Jeter Primary in thanking the service of their much-beloved custodians John Smith & Eldra Andrews!
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- Darrell’s dad, Darrell Dillard, shows his friends from Jeter Primary what bravery and perseverance truly looks like, and that’s why he’s their Hero!
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- Albert Willis with Opelika Learning Center has shown the students of Southview Primary of how to be be a Super Citizen and that is why Coleman shares why they chose him s their Helping Hands hero.
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- Southview Primary students recognized the bravery and selflessness of Officer Zach Daniels and Rebecca honors him from the stage as their Helping Hands Hero!
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- Officer Cory Turner is once again shown Southview Primary second graders what a hero looks like! Sydney shares all about him!
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- Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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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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- 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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- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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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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- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
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- U.S.A.!
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- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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- We were honored to spend the morning celebrating with our heroes, students, donors, and special guests. Thank you to our friends from Troy Bank and Trust: Naomi Lockhart and Brian Snider. Allison Webb with AmeriFirst Bank, Opelika Mayor Eddie Smith, Superintendent Kevin Davis, and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Pam Fortenbary for celebrating with us!