Today second and fifth grade elementary students from Indian Valley and Pinecrest 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 >
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- Davino and JJ lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
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- Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
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- Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader, or Harry Potter?!
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- Her finger is 8 feet long or about the size of an entire car!
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- From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
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- When Libby was originally built, she was a shiny copper color just like a brand-new penny!
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- Libby’s torch is what lights the way to freedom.
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- Do you know what’s written on Libby’s tablet? Here’s a hint: It’s the date of American Independence!
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- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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- Libby shows off the Liberty Learning Foundation Torch Pin that looks just like her.
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- Libby shows off the Liberty Learning Foundation Heart of Liberty.
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- Libby leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!
