Tradition Meets Responsibility

For almost twenty years, a small group of students at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School (ALES) has faithfully executed the morning and afternoon duties of raising and lowering the United States flag. These students, selected through the ALES Leadership class, quietly serve their school each day while modeling the qualities found in the LaRue County Learner Profile: problem-solving, engaged citizenship, and collaborative communication.

The program is guided by Kathy Ross, a retired LaRue County teacher and long-term daily volunteer at ALES. Ross has patiently trained generations of students, ensuring that the tradition continues while building leadership skills that last far beyond elementary school.

Each day, pairs of students are responsible for the careful sequence of raising the flag in the morning and lowering and folding it at the end of the day. At first glance, the role may seem simple, but students quickly realize it requires punctuality, responsibility, and precision. They learn the importance of proper flag protocol—an honor that demands both respect and consistency.

Yet the impact reaches deeper than the routine. Students in the program learn to work together as a team, communicating clearly with one another to carry out the process correctly. They discover how to follow systems that ensure the next group of leaders can step in seamlessly, reinforcing skills of organization and accountability. The experience also builds confidence as students understand that their contribution is visible to the entire school community.

Most importantly, this daily act teaches the value of tradition and mentorship. By working alongside Ross, students see firsthand how community members invest in them and pass on knowledge that extends beyond the classroom. In the end, the ALES Leadership flag team learns that small, steady acts of service can carry big lessons about responsibility, respect, and belonging.