MGMS fifth graders perform the ‘Great American’ program

The “Great American” is a program for fifth graders at Mountain Green Middle School. To accomplish this, you need to do certain tasks related to America. Students had to memorize the 46 presidents' names, the Gettysburg Address, Star Spangled Banner, and write the pledge of allegiance in cursive. Students also had to memorize the states on a map, states and capitals, the Preamble, and take a citizenship test. 

Mason Sessions said, “ The Great American is a great program that gets kids to dive into the rich history of the U.S.” Mason’s favorite was reciting the Gettysburg Address. 

Another student, Drew Wilding said that his favorite thing to pass off was the Gettysburg Address. Drew was also the first one to finish and completed it twice. Krew Beckstrom also finished it twice.

The first boy and girl to finish in each class were Mason Sessions and Janie Steel, Mrs. Durrant’s class; Brant Erickson and Charlotte Cox, Mrs. Niederhauser class; Drew Wilding and Malan Wallace, Mrs. Woody’s class; Jagger Smith,  Layla Snow Cady,  Mrs. L. Nelson;  and Carder Lewis and Juno Kinney, Mrs. K. Nelson’s class.

On Wednesday, May 17 MGMS fifth-grade students presented the “Great American” program for parents and grandparents. The program started with the color guard posting the Utah flag and the United States flag with everyone in attendance saying the Pledge of Allegiance.  Certain selected students got to recite speeches between songs throughout the program. Then students sang the ¨Preamble Song.¨ After that the students sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” After that, students sang the ¨Gettysburg Address Song¨. The students sang ¨Fifty Nifty¨ while each student held up a picture they colored as their state was said. Then they sang “This Land is Your Land.” After that, they sang ¨God Bless the USA.” During ¨God Bless the USA¨, those students who had earned the “Great American” performed sign language during the chorus, taught by school aid, Cayli Niederhauser. 

At the conclusion of the program, the fifth-grade teachers handed out awards to those who earned their “Great American” by completing all requirements. They also awarded the “Grand American “to students who finished at least seven things in the “Great American” packet. Thirty-eight students earned their “Great American” this year.

Students also had a 40 Book Challenge. Students who finished 40 grade-level books throughout the school year were awarded a medal. Eight students read 40 books during the school year.

Finally, everyone gave their attention to the color guard to retire the colors.

Bingham Davis, a fifth-grade student who finished the Great American said, “I loved it. I think it was amazing.” 

Jennie Durrant, a fifth-grade teacher, said” I was so proud of how hard everyone worked to earn the awards and to get the program ready.”

Amelia Wallin, another fifth-grade student who finished said, “It was a fun opportunity for people who finished the Great American to be celebrated.” 

Gaylene Adams, a Morgan County School Board member who was grateful to be invited to the program said, “I just really want all of those claiming that we don’t love/teach American history and values to witness the things these kids demonstrated so beautifully.” λ