Today, November 10th, 225 fifth graders from Valley Elementary School in Pelham joined together to honor heroes, receive certificates and pledge to continue their journey to becoming our Next Great Americans.

Clearly, with the lessons they have learned from Libby Liberty™ and their excellent teachers, the students are visibly excited about civics, character, financial literacy, careers and their roles in America’s future. And after participating in “Torch Teams,” a project-based learning activity, they are ready to apply those lessons in the real world.

Today, they honored each of their chosen local heroes with Authentic Liberty Replicas – and they read essays on why their heroes were making tremendous impacts in their communities and our country. These students (and every misty-eyed VIP in the room) saw first hand that when you honor a hero, you become a hero.

Heroes honored today were: Danny Ray, Officer David Tkacik, Coach Nick Tucker, Mike the school custodian, Chris Lee, Ms. Amy (Bus Driver)
, Mayor Gary Waters, Nicole Smith (Child Nutrition Program), Janey Patty and Don Green of the Pelham Police Department.