Selma City Second Graders Graduate as Super Citizens, Honor Local Heroes!

“I think this is one of the best things you could donate your money too,” says Ginger Simmons of First Exchange Bank. “To see them get so excited about something that’s so important to all of us was just incredible.”

Hero Derick Edwards (“Mr. E.” to the students”) explained why he was honored today, “How can you see a child struggling and not take time to help them. That’s how I was raised. I come in and let them know somebody cares.”

Today, over 450 2nd graders from Selma City Schools filled the Selma 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.

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” DVD 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 Dallas County Community Alliance and passionate community sponsors. With their help, we are teaching, inspiring and empowering our Next Great Americans.

Become a sponsor. Power the movement.

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 >

: These Selma City Second-graders are excited to graduate as Super

: Jaide, Yuzurius, Maykayla, Markayla, Caitlyn, Octavius, and Australia lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

: One of our Kingston Elementary teacher and Super Citizen Second-graders helped lead the Pledge of Allegiance!

: Local police officer Robert Tyus, Jr. was honored as Helping Hands Hero by Makayla.

: Music teacher Dr. Horace Whittaker was honored by JaTerrius as Helping Hands Hero.

: Library media specialist Jennifer Hyche was honored by Khi as Helping Hands Hero.

: Autumn honored Chenise Moore as Helping Hands Hero.

: Annie Smith was honored as Helping Hands Hero by Zakariya.

: Courtney Washington was honored as Helping Hands Hero by Ne’Kynzi.

: Kentaya Curtis was honored as Helping Hands Hero by her daughter Kaliah. Her cousin, Wikendra Lake, accepted on her behalf.

: Principal of Edgewood, Mr. Joe Peterson, was honored as Helping Hands Hero by JaQuarrius.

: Yazmine honored her father, Derick Edwards, as Helping Hands Hero.

: Jeremiah honored Dr. Brown, principal of Knox Elementary, as Helping Hands Hero. Kelli Dodd from the Liberty Learning Foundation, accepted on his behalf.