Today, over 375 second and fifth-grade students filled the Pinecrest Elementary School gymnasium. After finishing 10 weeks in the Super Citizen Program, they are gathered to celebrate their accomplishments and honor local heroes from the stage.
“My great, great grandfather came through Ellis Island,” said Sylacauga Mayor James Heigl. “Then, to come here and see these young people in this wonderful God-blessed country of ours … I just can’t explain how wonderful it is. Bringing this program throughout our school systems means so much to our state. And our nation.”
These students have learned their important roles in America’s future thanks to an immersive experience in civics, character, financial literacy and social studies. And in the closing piece of the program, Torch Teams (or “Helping Hands” for the younger students), students are applying those crucial lessons in the real world. They chose heroes who embodied the traits of amazing citizens and read essays from stage before presenting them with Authentic Liberty Replicas & Liberty Pins. They learned that “when you honor a hero, you become a hero!”
See the Torch Teams & Helping Hands Heroes honored today in the photo gallery below!
Today’s event and the donation of Super Citizen teaching kits was made possible by the Talladega County Community Alliance and passionate community sponsors. 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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- These Sylacauga City Schools fifth graders will soon graduate as Super Citizens.
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- Excited faces of future Super Citizens!
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- Ryleigh, Alana, Anna, and Brady lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
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- Mayor James Heigl supported and encouraged the students today at their graduation.
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- Alexia honored Mrs. Margret Morton as Helping Hands Hero.
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- Mrs. Tracey Thomas was honored as Helping Hands Hero by Jayda.
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- Emma and Natalie honored Ms. Cathy Phillips as Helping Hands Hero.
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- Nonprofit Care House was honored today by Ali as Torch Team Heroes. Earl Lewis, Becky Blair, and Veronica Dunklin were present to accept on behalf of Care House.
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- Mrs. Amy O’Neal was honored as Torch Team Hero by Mac.
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- Bryanna honored Barbara Thornton as Torch Team Hero.
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- These second graders take the Helping Hands Pledge.
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- Fifth graders taking the Super Citizen Pledge.
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- Arieal, Saniyah, Emmie, Mason, Kelsi, Dawson, Grace, and Amari lead their classmates in the Tour Anthem.
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- Celebrating graduation in song!
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- Only you can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- Thank you, sponsors!
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- Our Helping Hands and Torch Team Heroes along with Mayor Heigl and Bruce and Mary Brooks from ALFA.
