Today, 2nd graders from Ragland, Ashville, Moody, and Steele Elementary Schools filled the Springville Middle School Auditorium. 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 St. Clair 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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- Showing off their Helping Hands Graduation Certificate!
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- These St. Clair 2nd grade students are excited to honor their heroes and get their Hands on Liberty graduation certificates!
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- St. Clair 2nd grade students are getting ready to honor their heroes!
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- Hayden, Adalyn, Cash, & Julian lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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- Ryleigh shares why Ragland chose SRO & School Board Member Bogie Lovell as their Helping Hands Hero, highlighting his dedication to keeping their school safe and supported.
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- Brixton shares all about his dad, Ragland Baseball Coach Tyrrell Embry and the impact he makes on in their school community!
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- Sadie-Kate shares with everyone about her dad, Coach Mark Sanders and all he does to serve their community and that is why she and her friends at Ragland Elementary chose him as a Helping Hands Hero!
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- Michael proudly honors his dad, Gadsden Police Officer Kyle Jaggears as a Helping Hands Hero for his dedication to serving the community, and keeping others safe every day.
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- Joshua Rodman is honored for his bravery and service to our country as a Raglan Helping Hands Hero and his daughter, Mia share all about him.
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- Brayden honors Ragland Principal Shane Parker as a Helping Hands Hero for all he does for their school community!
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- Moody second graders honored Firefighter Brandon Mills as their Helping Hands Hero for all he does to serve and protect the community. His son, Wesley shared about his dedication from the stage.
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- Henley honors her dad, Shelby County Officer Josh Donahoo as a Moody Helping Hands Hero for the way he protects and serves the community.
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- Lyla shares all that her mom, Samantha Howell does for the Moody community and why they chose her as their Helping Hands Hero.
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- Emma shows Moody students what bravery and perseverance truly looks like, and that’s why here daughter, Emma honored her as a Helping Hands Hero!
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- Dominga proudly honors Gadsden Firefighter Kameron WIlson as a Helping Hands Hero for his dedication to serving the community.
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- Willow proudly tells us all the reason why her mom, Heather Hart is chosen as a Moody Helping Hands Hero!
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- McKinny proudly honors Officer Kevin Gaiser as a Moody Helping Hands Hero for his dedication to serving the community, and keeping others safe every day.
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- Hunt is proud to share why he chose his dad, Corey Webb as a Moody Helping Hands Hero and accepts the award on his behalf.
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- From the stage, Sawyer tells the story of why Steele Elementary chose SRO Jim Clay as their Helping Hands Hero and how his service makes a difference every day.
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- From the stage, Charlie proudly explains why his mom, Mackenzie Neely is chosen as a Steele Helping Hands Hero and the compassion she shows every day.
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- Steele second graders honored Rainbow City Firefighter Lieutenant James Martin as their Helping Hands Hero for all he does to serve and protect the community. His son, Hudson shared about his dedication from the stage.
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- Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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- We love seeing the students excited to sing 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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- 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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- 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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- U.S.A.!
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- We were honored to spend the morning celebrating with our heroes, students, donors, administrators, and special guests. Thank you to School Board member Allison Gray & Bogie Lovell; & Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, Michael Bissell; for celebrating with us!