Liberty Learning Foundation has orchestrated hundreds of emotional live events in schools across the southeast. Our team shows up and takes the stage to congratulate Super Citizens and thank community VIPS for joining us. But the story of what happened when our entire team couldn’t be on-hand for a Graduation Celebration in the small town of Hokes Bluff, AL is nothing short of incredible – and it sets a new standard for community ownership in this crucial, all-American movement.
When the tour bus and crew couldn’t make it, a few of us showed up with cameras — and watched in amazement as a town of 4,000 banded together to elevate their youth, to honor local heroes and to give thanks to a Super “corporate citizen.” This town proved that, together, we are improving child, community and country. On this Thursday night in Hokes Bluff, hundreds of people gather for the 4th graders Super Citizen Graduation.
Over the past 10 weeks, the 5 classes (made up of more than 125 students) worked through the lessons of The Liberty’s Legacy Super Citizen Program. They mastered lessons in civics, character, finances, careers choices, and our Great American Story. These young students absorbed what it means to be a Super Citizen. And tonight, they are celebrating that amazing achievement with their loved ones.
But 4th grade teacher Samantha Matthews tells us, this graduation is extra special. “We thought this would be a special way to let the kids plan it … They mapped it out, they talked about the songs that they wanted to use, that weren’t in the curriculum. And then the teachers sat down and cut down what would work and what wouldn’t work. And then the kids wrote their own speeches and decided how they would gift whether it be flowers or with a token or something.” Organized by their own students, this graduation ceremony was unlike any other we have seen- From the class unity to the three student emcees, who auditioned to lead the program… To the beautiful patriotic songs, the audience was speechless as they watched their children play such an important role.
Hokes Bluff principal, Charles Gardner, says “I think it made a positive impact on them about patriotism, about what it means to be an American, what it means to support our country and the heroes in our local community members … that every day volunteer firemen or police officer or mayor or whatever.”
But the most emotional part of the evening was during the Torch Team Presentations. Each class raised money to purchase a Lady Liberty replica and nominated a hero in their community that they wanted to honor. “They talked about every single person that they knew that keeps our community going,” says Matthews. “It’s such a small community, our volunteer firefighters are also our fathers, the uncles, and then they went to our school as well. “
Hokes Bluff had 17 nominations, but tonight 5 of those heroes would be honored onstage. Hokes Bluff wants to thank Alabama Power for teaching, inspiring & empowering Our Next Great Americans and for elevating the tight-knit communities that are making this movement their own.
Clearly, here, … in hometown America … the Super Citizen impact … and EXPERIENCE is creating gratitude that goes both ways. The heroes were honored. The students were honored. And WE were, again, honored to be powering this historic movement alongside concerned corporate citizens, community leaders, parents and educators.