Semiquincentennial Plaza

As the United States approaches its Semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026—Valor Classical Academy unveils a visionary tribute in the form of the Semiquincentennial Plaza. This thoughtfully designed space, situated at the heart of the school, serves as both a memorial and a dynamic educational tool. Drawing on principles of the Declaration of Independence, timeless quotes from historical figures like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Pericles, alongside the heroic story of local soldier John Borbonus, the plaza’s dual themes of Virtus (virtue) and Civitas (citizenship) embody the balance between freedom and responsibility required of all Americans. By integrating elements such as a saluting statue, an interactive Citizen Stage, and inscribed sandstone pillars, the plaza honors America’s revolutionary spirit and challenges students to actively uphold and perpetuate these ideals in their own lives, forming the next generation of citizens committed to preserving the American experiment.

The Declaration of Independence begins with principles that are both timeless and universal. It famously asserts, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” This statement encapsulates the fundamental rights inherent to human existence. The securing of these rights justified the American Revolution and the establishment of a government based on the consent of the governed. The Declaration proclaims, “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Our founders recognized and enshrined these truths in the American republic, which is one of the truly remarkable achievements of mankind.

However, as Viktor Frankl illustrates in “Man’s Search for Meaning,” the concept of freedom is only part of a larger narrative. He asserts, “Freedom, however, is not the last word. Freedom is only part of the story and half of the truth. Freedom is but the negative aspect of the whole phenomenon, whose positive aspect is responsibleness. In fact, freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibleness.” Remarkably, the Declaration of Independence follows a similar trajectory in its text, transitioning from universal assertions of fundamental freedoms to specific commitments and responsibilities. This is best exemplified in its closing line: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” The courage and conviction of the Founders emphasize the vital importance of personal responsibility in safeguarding the inherent rights they proclaimed in the opening of the Declaration. This pledge underscores a responsibility to each other and to the universal principles outlined in the Declaration. This sense of responsibility ought to resonate today; being an American carries significant obligations.

As the nation celebrates the Semiquincentennial, we honor the universal principles enshrined in this document. It is also essential to acknowledge the responsibilities these principles impose on us and on future generations. This duality embodies the vision for Valor Classical Academy’s Semiquincentennial Plaza. The plaza will serve as a physical representation of our commitment to shaping future citizens who uphold the values of our nation’s founding and promote the ongoing American experiment—citizens who cherish the freedoms of America while taking responsibility for them.

Semiquincentennial Plaza marks a moment in time and a commitment for all time. The plaza is designed to be both visually striking and deeply meaningful. At the center of the plaza stands the U.S. Flag, a symbol of the foundational ideals articulated in the Declaration of Independence. On either side, two circles symbolize the dual themes of Virtus (virtue) and Civitas (citizenship), which are essential for upholding the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Sandstone pillars surround these circles, guiding students’ thoughts with carefully selected quotes. At the center of each circle, platforms display representations of key concepts. The left platform features a statue of a fallen soldier symbolizing Virtus, while the Civitas side reveals an empty platform. This empty platform invites students to embrace the responsibilities of citizenship and encourages them to stand and take up the mantle of civic duty. The connecting arc on the ground represents a link between honoring the past and shaping the future, recognizing America’s foundation while urging the next generation to act, ensuring these ideals persist.
The plaza seamlessly leads to the school, reinforcing Valor Classical Academy’s commitment to cultivating future citizens who uphold the principles of our nation’s founding and promote the continuation of the American experiment. The themes of the plaza carry on and expand within the building itself. The plaza serves not only as a memorial but also as a dynamic educational space. The Virtus side encourages quiet contemplation, while the Civitas side invites active engagement.

The Virtus Circle embodies courage and service, particularly for those who have given their lives in the service of their nation. The three quotes—Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Shakespeare’s St. Crispin’s Day Speech, and Pericles’ Funeral Oration—each emphasize themes of courage, camaraderie, and service. While the Virtus Circle highlights military service and sacrifice, the goal is to use it as a gateway to encourage all forms of civil responsibility in students. These narratives spark the moral imagination in students by exposing them to real-world challenges that demand ethical decision-making, sacrifice, and a deeper understanding of duty to others—fostering virtue and instilling a sense of purpose and commitment to the greater good among students. The Virtus Circle serves as a beacon, urging future generations to embrace personal responsibility in service to a greater cause.

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, with its powerful call “that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,” challenges students to honor the sacrifices of those who died for America’s ideals by actively upholding the principles of the Declaration of Independence and ensuring that the sacrifices of the past inspire a renewed commitment to a free and democratic society. By dedicating themselves to these values, students can ensure that the “new birth of freedom” endures and that the legacy of those who served lives on in a government truly of, by, and for the people.

The St. Crispin’s Day speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V, particularly the lines “This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother,” inspires the virtue of service by celebrating the unity, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of those who commit to a greater cause. For students, this speech resonates with the Declaration of Independence’s ideals. It encourages students to engage in service together as a way to build community and find fulfillment, much like the soldiers who become a “band of brothers” through shared sacrifice.

Pericles’ Funeral Oration, with its stirring call to civic duty and honor inspires students to embody courage and selflessness in service to their community: “… when the reality of battle was before their faces, they put their trust in their own selves. In the fighting, they thought it more honorable to stand their ground and suffer death than to give in and save their lives. So they fled from the reproaches of men, abiding with life and limb the brunt of battle; and, in a small moment of time, the climax of their lives, a culmination of glory, not of fear, were swept away from us. So and such they were, these men-worthy of their city. We who remain behind may hope to be spared their fate, but must resolve to keep the same daring spirit against the foe.”. It challenges students to face life with resolve, contribute meaningfully to society, and pursue a life of purpose. By embracing these virtues, students can honor their community and ensure that their actions, like those of the “worthy” fallen, reflect a commitment to a greater good.

These historical quotes, surrounding the statue of a local hero, bring universal themes to life in an accessible and inspiring way for students. The statue at the center of the Virtus Circle serves as an exemplar of the themes on the sandstone pillars. This statue of John Borbonus, depicted in uniform and saluting the flag, serves as a powerful focal point that embodies courage, service, and sacrifice. The narrative of John Borbonus is woven into the fabric of the school, inspiring our students.

John Borbonus was a native of Idaho. Valor Classical Academy will be built on land once owned by John’s family, where John spent time in his youth playing on his family’s sod farm. After graduating from high school, John decided to join the Army. While serving his country, Specialist John Borbonus gave his life in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2007. Specialist Borbonus was posthumously awarded the Silver Star—the nation’s third-highest military decoration for heroism in combat. John gave his life just one month shy of his 20th birthday on April 12, 2007, while serving with Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On that fateful day, an insurgent suicide truck bomber launched an attack aimed at breaching Specialist Borbonus’s patrol base. The truck was laden with 500 to 600 pounds of homemade explosives, which posed a massive threat to the lives of those inside the patrol base. Demonstrating unparalleled courage and selflessness, Specialist Borbonus manned his machine gun and unleashed a relentless stream of fire, successfully neutralizing the driver and diverting the vehicle away from the base entrance. His heroic efforts prevented what could have been a catastrophic explosion, although the truck detonated upon breaching the perimeter, resulting in the loss of his own life. Specialist Borbonus’s self-sacrificial actions not only saved countless lives but also exemplified the highest ideals of service and courage.
John’s statue will depict him in his dress uniform, adorned with the medals he earned during his lifetime but never had the opportunity to wear. The statue is positioned saluting the flag, symbolizing respect for the nation’s core principles. It is also oriented so that every student entering Valor Classical Academy receives the salute as a greeting and reminder of these principles. As we share John’s story, we acknowledge that Valor Classical Academy is built on land that once supported grassy fields. Now, those very fields will nurture the growth of American citizens inspired by the remarkable stories of individuals like John.

The Civitas Circle mirrors the Virtus Circle and represents the beginning of a student’s journey toward becoming an American citizen. This journey involves upholding the ideals of the nation’s founding and promoting the continuation of our American experiment. At the center of the Civitas Circle is an empty platform, reflecting the platform featuring John’s statue in the Virtus Circle. This empty platform serves as our Citizen Stage.

One of the first significant moments for students attending Valor Classical Academy is the ceremonial first step onto this Citizen Stage, symbolizing their initial step toward thoughtful citizenship. This journey continues throughout their educational experience at Valor. At various times, individual students will present recitations, deliver speeches, and participate in community events from this stage. Upon graduation, students will step off this Citizen Stage, prepared to engage with the world as well-formed young adults and citizens.
The complete Civitas Circle supports the active role of citizens in upholding the ideals of America’s founding. It invites students to participate directly in civic discourse. Quotes from Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison succinctly capture the essence of citizenship—liberty and responsibility. These founding narratives and quotes inspire the moral imagination of students to be active citizens and commit to the ideals of liberty, responsibility, and civic engagement championed by America’s founders.

The Civitas Circle also highlights Valor Classical Academy’s commitment to help form students for the responsibilities of citizenship. From the very beginning, public primary and secondary education in the United States has taken a central role in forming future citizens. Sixty-six days before the signing of the United States Constitution, Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The Northwest Ordinance recognized the role of education in making wise and good citizens: “…morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.”

Samuel Adams wrote to James Warren in 1775, “For no People will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when Knowledge is diffused and Virtue is preserved.” This underscores the vital role of education and moral character in safeguarding liberty and fostering civic responsibility. A classical education, rooted in the study of the deepest questions of truth, justice, virtue, and beauty, equips students with the knowledge to critically engage with ideas and the virtue to act ethically in the public square. By reciting and reflecting on such foundational narratives from a platform like the Citizen Stage, students connect with the principles of America’s founding and develop the intellectual and moral fortitude to actively defend liberty.

James Madison’s assertion in The Federalist Papers, No. 46, that “The ultimate authority resides in the people alone,” encapsulates the core principle of American democracy, emphasizing the sovereignty of citizens in shaping their government. A Valor Classical Academy education cultivates the critical thinking and moral reasoning necessary for students to understand and exercise this authority responsibly. This educational approach not only imparts knowledge but also instills the virtue needed to preserve liberty, empowering students to uphold the democratic ideals Madison championed through informed and principled citizenship.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Thomas Jefferson’s words in the Declaration of Independence articulate the foundational principles of equality and individual rights that define American ideals. A classical education, steeped in the study of primary documents like the Declaration, fosters the intellectual rigor and moral imagination needed for students to grasp the profound implications of these truths. By reciting and debating such ideas on the Citizen Stage, students embrace their role as beneficiaries of these unalienable rights. This approach enriches students’ appreciation of liberty and motivates them to participate actively in civic discourse, perpetuating the timeless ideals of Jefferson’s vision.

The lessons and experiences fostered by Semiquincentennial Plaza extend far beyond its physical boundaries, permeating the entire school community and enriching its educational mission. Far from being confined to the plaza itself, the ideals of civic responsibility and liberty inspired by this platform resonate throughout the school’s culture. These ideals are further amplified through thought-provoking artwork displayed in hallways, meaningful faculty-student interactions that encourage ethical reflection, curriculum that actively engages students’ minds, and school-wide activities that promote virtuous citizenship. By instilling the spirit in the school and having students carry it into their lives beyond school, Semiquincentennial Plaza ensures that Valor Classical Academy produces wonderful American citizens.

We cannot achieve this goal alone. As Semiquincentennial Plaza encourages our students to learn about civic responsibility, we now invite our community members, businesses, and supporters to contribute in creating it. While our nation’s semiquincentennial is a significant date, the spirit of 1776 continues beyond that moment and must be nurtured to thrive today. We named our fundraising campaign to support Valor Classical Academy “The Spirit of ’76” to honor this notion.

If you would like to contribute, please visit our donation page.   Or if you would like to learn more you can visit our Spirit of ’76 campaign page, contact me directly at shunter@acs-id.org or schedule a virtual discussion.