Today second graders from Hamilton Elementary School cheered and counted down to the grand entrance of Libby Liberty™. Wearing green paper crowns and waving tiny American flags, they showed their enthusiasm for the Super Citizen Program they’ll begin after today’s theatrical performance.
Liberty Learning Foundation (with generous sponsorship by the Marion County Community Alliance) is kicking off the program in a big way. Not only are students watching as the vivacious Statue of Liberty character brings history to life, they are also being introduced to the man who will give them a “hand” with lessons back in their classrooms. As Libby winds down, she hands the screen over to Mr. Palmer, a brash and brilliant hand-character who leads students in lessons in civics, character, financial literacy and our Great American Story.
After class photos with Libby, students and teachers return to classrooms energized to learn crucial, all-American lessons. They’ll also begin the process of nominating and honoring “Helping Hands Heroes” who they will honor at their graduation celebration when the program is complete for this year.
Were you at the event? See the photo gallery below to find yourself, to revisit the magic or watch it unfold for the first time >
- Super Citizans lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
- Libby is MUCH bigger when she’s on her pedestal in New York City!
- Ava and Lillian help Libby show off her real measurements.
- Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader, or Harry Potter?!
- Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
- There are 25 windows in her crown, from which you can see the beautiful view of New York Harbor.
- The spikes on her crown are about the size of a Great White Shark!
- Libby’s outer layer is only about as thick as 2 pennies!
- Libby famously holds 2 items in her hands: a torch and a tablet.
- Do you know what’s written on Libby’s tablet? Here’s a hint: It’s the date of American Independence!
- The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- Libby’s skeleton is made of iron and steel!
- In the workshop, the artists worked on all the different parts of Libby!
- She was built all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in Paris, France!
- On October 28, 1886 they had a huge celebration to welcome Libby home to America.
- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
- We all have different American stories.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
- Libby shares all about the exciting Super Citizen Program the students are about to begin!
- Libby tells the students about their powerful title: CITIZEN!
- Libby leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!
- You ARE The Next Great Americans!
- Super Citizens help Libby lead everyone in our tour anthem.
- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- Libby poses with Dr. Handley!
- These Marion County students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
- Libby had a blast today with these Marion County students!
- The Official Libby Liberty Selfie!