“Oh I was crying,” says Demopolis fire fighter Chris Foster, just one of the heroes honored by US Jones fifth graders at today’s Super Citizen graduation event.

“I know you couldn’t see but yes I was out there crying. It was an honor to receive that. I didn’t think of myself for having that influence over the kids in that respect. The job that I do is just something that I do every day.”

Foster is speaking of the final piece of a 10-week civics and character program, Torch Teams, in which students nominate, vote for and ultimately honor heroes at their graduation event. The event and the indepth school program is made possible by Alabama Power Foundation and Liberty Learning Foundation. It helps eductors round out the equation for life and career-ready students beyond the much-tested science, technology & math focused curriculum.

“The Super Citizen Program engages students and teaches them what it means to be outstanding citizens. We end with “Torch Teams,” a project-based learning activity that brings that learning full-circle and out into real world practice,” says LLF founder Patti Yancey.

That solidification of lessons in civics, character, financial literacy, careers and social studies was evident today as students read essays about their heroes in frot of community leaders, press and 175 of their peers. They didn’t just take tests. They are applying the responsibility that comes with the great opportunities of being American citizens.

Yancey reiterates, “The other goal here is for students to see that they are already important to their communities: home, school, city … and that often it is not a celebrity they should look up to, but it is the custodian or physical therapist like we saw today.”

Torch Team Heroes Honored Today:

  • Mr. Patrick Braxton, Firefighter
  • Ralph Mullens, Custodian
  • Valley Harrison, Banker
  • Byron Franklin, Former NFL Football player, Teacher
  • Sydney Hasty, Student @ Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL
  • Chris Foster, Firefighter for Demopolis & Gallion, Units
  • Skibo Holman, Physical Therapist