The students at C.E. Hanna Elementary School celebrated America’s upcoming landmark birthday with a special celebration on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

The celebration, held in the school gymnasium, was in honor of being recognized as an Alabama America 250 Semiquincentennial School.

Principal Lorrie Owens called the designation “an important moment in our school’s history.”

“This designation is more than a title,” Owens said. “It is a reflection of the pride and excellence that have shaped our school community. It represents the hard work of those who came before us, the dedication of those who serve our students each day, and the bright future being built by the young people sitting amongst us.”

The program reflected how the school received the special honor as it played out a unique and inspiring tableau reflecting the 250 years of America’s history using song, art, and story.

Musical accents to the celebration were provided by the C.E. Hanna Band’s performance of “Grand Old Flag” and the Jacket Singsations choral arrangement of “America The Beautiful” – each greeted with the spirited waving of the hand-held flags given out to all who attended.

Shannon Cochran, who teaches sixth-grade social studies, was the one who seized the opportunity for the school to become an official Alabama America 250 Semiquincentennial School.

“We committed to entering the 250^th anniversary of our nation into our curriculum with a focus on history, civics, patriotism, and community service with special attention given to the Declaration of Independence,” Cochran said.

Students were invited to choose any aspect of American history to write an informational essay or create an artwork. Thirty-five art submissions and 10 essays were entered, with the award winners chosen by a panel of members from the Oxford Arts Council.

Mayor Alton Craft was the special guest speaker and encouraged the students to always remember the meaning of “freedom.”

Craft said the words of the Declaration of Independence, which state that people have inalienable rights and “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” should stay with the students all their lives.

“You get to do what you want with your life,” he said. “You have the liberty and the freedom to do what you want. And, you can pursue whatever dream you want.”

Cochran said the program was designed with student participation in mind, and that the work came to life with 15 students, in full costume, forming a living wax museum that displayed some of the Founding Fathers who sat at the table when the nation was born, each coming to life to tell about their part in the birth of the nation.

“Today is truly a celebration, not only of our country turning 250 years old, but also of the incredible students who worked so hard to make this program possible,” Cochran said.