Students spoke about important events and dressed as famous Americans, past and present.
Famous Americans like Benjamin Franklin, The Wright Brothers, Betsy Ross, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Amelia Earhart, Lucille Ball, Elvis Presley, Rosa Parks, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Sally Ride, Bill Gates and Babe Ruth just to name a few.
There were also people recognized like Miss Americas, policemen, firemen, doctors, nurses, sports figures like Babe Ruth and Tim Tebow, actors, and just good, hard working American men and women.
They also performed patriotic songs.
OES second-grade teachers Jan Hamrick, Salli Bauer, Casey Johnson, Bobbi Barton, Paige Herren and Katherine Wallis worked with the students and prepared them for the program.
The OES gym was filled to capacity with moms, dads, grandparents and other relatives and friends.
The one moment that caused everyone to stand to his or her feet and clap, was when student Landon Grantham introduced his hero — his dad Sgt. 1st Class Don Grantham. Grantham is a member of the Georgia National Guard, and drove from Georgia to be with his son that night at the OES program.
“When he told everyone I was his hero, that was a big surprise,” Grantham said. “I have always talked to my kids about what heroes are and are not. I do my job, so to me, what I do does not warrant me being a hero. I am very proud of my son. It was amazing to hear him.”
Five years ago, Grantham served in Iraq, and two years ago, he returned home from a tour of duty in Afghanistan and surprised Landon at school when he was a kindergarten student at OES.
Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.
