Honoring the “Shoe Club”
Save The Flags was very happy to host some of the incredible staff, students and parents of East Jordan, Michigan Middle/High School on March 12, 2025. Teacher Matt Hamilton brought twenty-four 7-8th grade “Shoe Club” members to Lansing to visit the Michigan State Historical Center, the State Capitol and to tour the campus of Michigan State University. Mr. Hamilton is the 2025 recipient of the National Education Association’s prestigious Horace Mann Excellence in Teaching Award. On their trip to Lansing, he was presented with two special Tributes by Commander Lt. Colonel Tom Vanden Bosch of the 1225th CSSB, Michigan Army National Guard and a Legislative/Executive Tribute by Senator John Damoose and Representative Parker Fairbairn. Through their work, teachers like Mr. Hamilton and his dedicated and passionate students are building communities while preserving state history.
(left)Mr. Hamilton with his students and chaperones in the flag storage facility at the State Historical Center. (center) Mr. Matt Hamilton receiving a Tribute from LTC Tom Vanden Bosch, MIARNG. (right) Mr. Hamilton receiving a Special Legislative/Executive Tribute from Senator John Damoose, 37th Senate District, and Representative Parker Fairbairn of District 107, Michigan House of Representatives.