STAPLETON — After raising the money for the project, almost 200 students participated in a parade around the Stapleton School property along the newly repainted red, white and blue stripe in the middle of the road.

The Feb. 26 event was notably different from the silent walk students held when the stripes were originally painted in 2002 to honor those who lost their lives in 9/11.

Nearly 25 years later, the road was repainted for the first time.

Alongside the project's completion, students, teachers and staff held a Celebrate America event where they walked along the road chanting "U.S.A." and afterward they sang happy birthday to America. This is one of the first Celebrate America events in Baldwin County this year.

According to sixth graders Fiona Stewart and Liam Bass, this is the first American parade that's been held during their time at the PK-6 school. However, they have regularly participated in the parades held for Mardi Gras each year where students walk around the playground on the track.

Students raised more than the $1,636.09 needed for the repainting project. Leftover funds were donated to USA Health in Mobile.

"At first we were putting in our coins and then by the second day people started putting in dollar bills," fifth grader Addy Christian said.

Fourth and fifth grade students, Emery Shiver and Mika Godwin, said they are currently learning a lot of American history in their social studies classes. School assignments this year tie back to America 250 celebrations, which count down to this year's Fourth of July: the 250th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence.

Christian said she liked celebrating with a parade "but my feet hurt after that."

Godwin said another event that's just as big — but with significantly less walking — is Veteran's Day. A celebration is held in the gym, where different crafts and presentations honor different military branches.

Several staff members are veterans and many students have veterans and active-duty service members in their families.