On Jan. 30, second graders from Baldwin County Public Schools filled the OWA Theatre.

After finishing 10 weeks in the Hands on Liberty program, they gathered to celebrate their accomplishments and honor local heroes from the stage.

With hands-on teaching, the students began learning about their roles in America's future. The Hands on Liberty series and accompanying activities as well as lesson plans teach crucial lessons in civics, character, financial literacy and social studies to a tech-centric generation. In the closing piece of the program, Helping Hands, students apply 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."