Today, 2nd graders from Helena Elementary & Vincent Elementary Schools filled the Shelby County Arts Council Auditorium. After finishing 10 weeks in the Hands of 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 Shelby 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 >
- Showing off their Helping Hands Graduation Certificate!
- Shelby County 2nd grade students are getting ready to honor their heroes!
- Excited to celebrate, honor heroes, and take their pledges!
- These Shelby County students are excited to honor their heroes and get their Helping Hands graduation certificates!
- Jayla & Nora lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Shelby County School Board Member Peg Hill is honored as Helping Hands Heroes and STUDENT: Brooks share all the reasons why!
- Korban led his friends in thanking retired teacher Tammie Moore as a Helena Helping Hands Hero!
- Callan took the mic to tell us all about one of Helena’s Helping Hands Hero, Peggy Holly!
- Teddy shared why Roy Brook was honored as a Helena Helping Hands Hero!
- Addie Jo shared all about why Kristen Ciza was chosen as a Helena Helping Hands Hero!
- Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks is a great example of the traits that make you a true hero, and that’s why Sariah, Beau, & Nolan at Vincent Elementary chose to honor him today!
- Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
- Students and teachers alike singing along to our tour anthem!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- U.S.A.!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- SInging loud and proud!
- SInging along to our tour anthem!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- U.S.A.!
- U.S.A.!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- We were honored to spend the morning celebrating with our heroes, students, donors, and special guests. Thank you to Dr. Lewis Brooks – Superintendent Resia Brooks, Ji Ji Davis, Amber Polk & Peg Hill – Shelby County Schools Board Members, Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego, Representative Russell Bedsole, Leon Johnston with Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge, & Helena Mayor Billy Rosener for celebrating with us!

























