Today second and third grade elementary students from University Charter School came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2025. They waved flags, wore Statue of Liberty crowns and counted down for Libby Liberty™ to take the stage. On three huge screens “live video” shows her Next Great Americans tour pulling up to the school and then the real-life Libby walked out from behind the screens!
The lady in green brought history to life and introduced students to the 10-week civic, character, financial literacy and social studies program they will begin when her tour rolls away. She told them that they already have the most important title in the world: “CITIZEN.”
Students in multiple grades are participating in the Super Citizen Program. The younger grades are taught by an innovative civic education program starring Mr. Palmer (the hand-puppet host of the “Hands on Liberty” series).
Upper elementary grades learn from the original Super Citizen Program kit that features lessons, class activities and the emotional, unforgettable “Torch Teams” project-based learning experience. In Torch Teams, students team up, nominate, vote for and, ultimately, honor local heroes from stage at their graduation later this year. They learn that “When you honor a hero, you become a hero.”
Today’s event and the injection of civic learning is free to schools because of generous community sponsors who understand that these crucial lessons must be taught despite school time and budget constraints.
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 >
- Annie & Skylar lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Libby’s official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
- Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
- Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
- Smile for a selfie!
- Libby reveals her 879 inch shoe size.
- There are 25 windows in her crown, from which you can see the beautiful view of the New York Harbor.
- The spikes on her crown are about the size of a Great White Shark!
- Her torch is what lights the way to freedom.
- The letters on her tablet represent the date of American Independence!
- The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- Mr. Eiffel designed her skeleton, just like he designed the Eiffel Tower!
- They put her together piece by piece, like the most gigantic Lego structure EVER!
- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
- Libby invites the students to imagine what it would be like to be an immigrant traveling to Ellis Island.
- We all have different American stories.
- “The New Colossus” is engraved on Libby’s pedestal.
- Libby and Mr. Palmer are excited to share with the students about the Hands on Liberty program!
- Libby leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!
- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!
- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Singing LOUD and PROUD!
- U.S.A.!
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- Libby had a blast today with these University Charter students!
- Libby greets the wonderful students of University Charter!
- Libby loved getting to visit the students of University Charter!
- These students are excited to meet Libby Liberty!
- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
- The Official Libby Liberty Selfie!