Students learn to respect “Old Glory”
Students in the enrichment classes at Russellville Elementary School learned about the American flag during a presentation by the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC) on Wednesday.
According to enrichment teacher Kim Hood, the presentation went along with projects her students have recently completed.
“Every year, the students do projects based on the theme we have been studying and this year’s theme was American history in the past, present and future,” Hood said. “I’ve gotten projects about the World Trade Center, the history of baseball, the history of Alabama football, Columbus’ ships and many other elements of American history.”
Hood said she allowed the students to submit project proposals and then she would approve them.
“I like for students to pick the project they do so they can choose something they’re interested in or that shows off their abilities,” Hood said. “Some students are very fact-based and others are artistic. Choosing their projects allows them to be more involved with the project and enjoy demonstrating what they’ve learned.”
Third-grader Kaydee Holland did her presentation on the American flag and she gave the class facts about how the flag originated and proper flag etiquette.
At the conclusion of her presentation she invited Capt. Matthew Waldrep and Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Figueroa with the Russellville High School JROTC program to demonstrate the proper way to fold an American flag.
“We’re very involved with the other schools and with the younger students,” Waldrep said. “We try to make sure to set a good example for them and be positive role models. I love doing stuff like this, and I’d do it every day if I could.”
Even though they’re still in high school, both Waldrep and Figueroa have discovered the importance of investing in the younger generation.
“These kids are our future,” Figueroa said. “Without good role models and without a good education, our nation wouldn’t be the same.”
Waldrep said they also like to encourage younger students to be a part of JROTC when they have the chance because the program is so beneficial, which is something their instructors, Lt. Col. Norman Lier and Sgt. 1st Class Louvina Gross, have taught them.
“JROTC helps you become a better citizen because you learn to help people, like when we tutor students our own age,” Figueroa said. “We learn certain military things like marching and giving cadence but academics comes first.”
“You learn good leadership principles,” Waldrep added, “but the number one goal of the JROTC program is to graduate from high school.”
