Shirts, Flags, and our Declaration

By Carol Perkins

Jobe Publishing Contributor

 

Following up from last week, the high school event was on Thursday, but I mixed up the dates and went to the middle school at 8:00 that morning. At that hour, I am usually sitting quietly, drinking coffee, and enjoying not having to go to work anymore.

I arrived early with my cohort, Jo Meredith, who is not a morning person either, and noticed that no one in the office was wearing a commemorative shirt, which seemed odd. After Miss Jenny finished the morning announcements, she smiled, came over, leaned down, and said, “Miss Perkins, our program is tomorrow. The high school program is this afternoon.”

Jo and I left and met again at the high school that afternoon. On the drive home, I took in the morning’s beauty and remembered the early hours when life was bustling around me, and I am not. Upon arrival, I saw students wearing their shirts and waving their flags in the hallway until school staff sent everyone to the gym. It had been years since I had stood before a group of teenagers, nearly four hundred of them, so I was a little nervous about how they might behave.

History teacher Dr. Rob Bunch presented facts about the Declaration, and as the students listened attentively, I became more nervous. But once I held the microphone, a sense of calm came over me. I first explained that the community had sponsored their shirts, and the City of Edmonton donated copies of the Declaration. Then I asked the students whose family members had served our country to stand, and the number amazed me. I also recognized five young men who were enlisting in the military and spoke briefly about protecting our freedom. We ended with a rousing “Happy Birthday, America.”

The middle school students gathered in the gym the next morning, and their school ambassadors presented the program. Among other things, I repeated how these gifts came about and then talked about a young girl from Africa whose village only had a school up to sixth grade. For high school, if their test scores were high enough, students had to move to a bigger town and live with someone there. College was only for those who excelled in high school. I mentioned how in America, we can change our minds about our future. In some countries, the government tells people what jobs they will have.

The three programs were heartwarming, and the students were so well-behaved. I appreciate all those who made these events possible. Metcalfe County students are likely the only ones in the state to have a commemorative shirt, flag, and a copy of the Declaration for America’s 250th birthday, thanks to all who made it possible.