Today, 2nd graders from Wills Valley Elementary School filled the Wills Valley Recreation Center Gymnasium. 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 DeKalb 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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- Eva and Mike lead Wills Valley students, heroes, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance!
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- Musical guest Addison McClure sang “God Bless the USA.”
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- Griffin and Ollie introduced us to Jess Bates, their class’s Helping Hands Hero!
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- Blakely honored her class’s Helping Hands Hero, officer Matt Brown!
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- Rainer’s class chose Greg Titshaw as their Helping Hands Hero!
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- Cali and Jayda told us about their class hero, Amy Justice!
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- Scott Azbell was honored as a Helping Hands Hero by Rayleigh’s class.
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- AJ’s class honored Judge Andrew Hairston as their Hero!
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- Olivia’s class has learned about caring for their community from LaRue Hardinger, of the Marine Corps League and coordinator of Fort Payne Toys for Tots, and that’s why she’s their Hero.
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- Now it’s time for Wills Valley 2nd graders to take their Helping Hands Pledge!
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- Mr. Palmer says “you’ve gotta do good to be good,” and these students pledged to do just that.
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- 2nd grade students pledged to “be responsible for what they say and do, in their country, community, family, and school.”
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- Super Citizens lead everyone in 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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- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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- Singing along to our tour anthem!
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- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
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- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- Students, heroes, and teachers alike singing along to our tour anthem!
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- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
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- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
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- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- We were honored to spend the afternoon celebrating with our heroes, students, and guests, including mayor of Fort Payne Brian Baine, Cole Justice of First Southern State Bank, Principal Wheat, and Office Massey!
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- We are so thankful for the support of leaders like Brian Baine, mayor of Fort Payne!
