By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
It was a time of celebration. For the past 10 weeks, second-grade students at Rachel Patterson Elementary School and Huxford Elementary School have been studying lessons about civics, character development, financial literacy, and career exploration, all while discovering what it means to be responsible citizens.
Wednesday, December 18, students gathered at Rachel Patterson with folks from Liberty Learning Foundation to receive their graduation certificates, recite the Helping Hands Pledge, sing a special song, and honor local heroes.
When students took their pledge, they were designated as Super Citizens.
Liberty Learning Foundation is a non-profit organization impacting future generations by reinforcement of civic and character concepts. They do this by “Teaching, Inspiring and Empowering the Next Great Americans.”
Elected officials attending were Alabama Representative Alan Baker, School Board member Sherry Digmon, Atmore City Councilwoman Eunice Johnson, and School Board President Coleman Wallace.
A number of volunteers from each school assisted with the program.
Pledge volunteers were Indya House, RPES; and Presley Staples, HES.
“Libby USA” song volunteers were Taylor Howard, Malise Mills, Kinsley Norwood, Malaysia McCants, Makinsley Martin, RPES; Eli Trevino, Avayah McIlwain, Kyla Hamilton, Curtis Hayes, HES.
One of the highlights of the program was the recognition of Helping Hands Heroes in the schools.
RPES student Collyns Wilson recognized Vonda Bynum who works in the office as the school’s registrar. Ms. Bynum could not attend the ceremony.
HES student Jaxon Huckabaa recognized the school’s media specialist, Cheyenne Ikner, as one of their heroes.
HES also celebrated a second hero – a man not directly employed by the school system, but certainly part of the HES family, Deputy Johnny Wilson, resource officer. He was introduced by student Oakleigh Hornaday.
Also attending the event were Huxford Principal Leah Fuqua, Rachel Patterson Principal Jennifer Lee, and Liberty Learning Regional Education Director (Southwest) Anne Lambert.