Today 2nd and 5th grade elementary students from Carlisle Elementary, Duck Springs Elementary, Ivalee Elementary, Gaston Elementary, Hokes Bluff Elementary, West End Elementary, and Highland School came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2026-2027 School Year. 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 >
- Etowah County Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™
- Ready to Kick Off Their Super Citizen Program!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- All smiles from Etowah County Schools students as they prepare to meet Libby Liberty™!
- These students are excited to arrive at the Super Citizen Kickoff!
- These students wave their flags with excitement as they arrive at the Super Citizen Kickoff!
- Super Citizens!
- Superintendent Julie Talton welcomes everyone to the Super Citizen kickoff.
- London and River lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
- Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
- Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader, or Harry Potter?!
- Her finger is 8 feet long or about the size of an entire car!
- From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
- When Libby was originally built, she was a shiny copper color just like a brand-new penny!
- Libby’s torch is what lights the way to freedom.
- The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- She was built all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in Paris, France!
- “The New Colossus” is engraved on Libby’s pedestal.
- Libby leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- U.S.A.!
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- 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!”
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Libby loves getting the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
- Thank you to Superintendent Julie Talton; Tim Womack, Etowah County School Board Member; Joe Taylor, Mayor of Rainbow City; Jesse Battles, candidate for State Senate District 10; and Central Office representatives Kim Reed, Professional Development Coordinator for Technology; Kristy Towns, Director of Academic Support Services; Jennifer McGriff, Special Programs and Family Support Liaison; Chris Melton, Director of Operations and Safety; and Lora Hill, Helping Families Initiative Case Officer for their time and support in shaping the next great Americans.
- The Next Great Americans of Etowah County Schools!
- These amazing Etowah County Schools students are excited to begin their Super Citizen journey!
- We had a blast today with these amazing Etowah County Schools students!
- Libby Liberty™ gets a picture with these amazing students after the Super Citizen kickoff!
- These Etowah County Schools students are ready for an exciting Super Citizen journey!
- Big smiles from these Etowah County Schools students after an exciting kickoff!
- A picture-perfect moment with Libby Liberty™ and these Etowah County Schools students!
- Libby Liberty™ loved spending time with the students of Etowah County Schools!
- These students are ready to learn what it means to be Super Citizens!
- An exciting Super Citizen journey is ahead for these incredible Etowah County Schools students!
- We loved kicking off the Super Citizen journey with these amazing Etowah County Schools students!
- The Next Great Americans of Etowah County Schools!
- These amazing Etowah County Schools students are excited to begin their Super Citizen journey!
- Nothing but smiles from these incredible Etowah County Schools students!
- Libby Liberty™ gets a picture with these amazing students after the Super Citizen kickoff!
- These Etowah County Schools students are ready for an exciting Super Citizen journey!
- Libby Liberty™ loved spending time with the students of Etowah County Schools!

















































