Baylee Ward isn’t certain of what she wants to be the future, although she likes the idea of pursuing soccer. But she is only in the seventh grade, and the one thing she is sure of is that she wants to be a good citizen.
Surrounded by multiple other students who range from grades 5-8, Ward is one of the students participating in the “I’m a Citizen Too” class — which is now in its 33rd year.
Jan Desgranges, who teaches the class, said she is honored to be able to work in a school district that supports such a class during the summer months.
“This isn’t a class where any student can just sign up for it and take it,” Desgrange clarified. “The students in this class must be recommended by a teacher. They also must perform well academically and they can’t have any disciplinary issues at all. The reason for that is because we are active within the public.”
Each student in the class welcomed a different veteran to a banquet and lunch ceremony on Friday. Standing at the entrance with a hand-written sign bearing their veteran’s name, each student escorted their veteran to the dining area that was neatly laid out on the gym floor at the Poplar Bluff Middle School gym.
After lunch was served, each veteran was acknowledged separately as a brief biography was read aloud concerning their service in the military. Following the acknowledgment of the veterans, three students performed an instrumental version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which was followed by the pledge of allegiance. The student choir then performed “God Bless America” and “God Bless the USA.”
At the end of the ceremony, each veteran was given a small flag along with a flag lapel pin, attached to a card that said “Thank you for your service.”
“I think it’s a shame that most schools don’t teach things like this anymore,” Desgranges remarked. “For me, what is most important is the veterans and recognizing their sacrifice.
“I make all of my students pledge at least one thing before they graduate from the class: to register to vote at the age of 18. I teach the importance of utilizing one of our rights as citizens that so many people have fought and died for.”
Desgranges said the class has some future field trips planned — all of which are focused on aspects of being good citizens.
“The one big thing we’re looking forward to is the election,” Desgranges explained. “Because this is an election year, we will be coordinating with the Butler County Clerk’s office, and they will come out and help us set up a voting area where each student can cast their ballot and see how the process works from start to finish.”
Ward said that she enjoys the class, and believes that she is learning valuable lessons.
“It’s fun,” Ward remarked. “I feel like it teaches us how to be responsible for the future.”
“These really are some great kids,” Desgranges exclaimed. “I hope — more than anything — that they can leave from this class and carry these lessons into the future and be better adults.”