Today more than 40 elementary students from Abbeville Christian Academy came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2016. 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 bus pulling up to the school, her exiting the bus and then, the real-life Libby walks 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 bus 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” DVD series). Upper elementary grades learn from the original Super Citizen Program kit that features DVD-based 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 >
- These Abbeville students are excited to start their Super Citizen journey.
- These special citizens are about to meet Libby Liberty™.
- These Abbeville students are excited to start their Super Citizen journey.
- These special citizens are about to meet Libby Liberty™.
- These Abbeville students are excited to start their Super Citizen journey.
- Headmaster Melanie Carlisle welcomed everyone to the 2016 Super Citizen Program.
- Helping lead their classmates with the pledge were: Nolan, Logan, Lily and Parker
- Abbeville students pledge allegiance to the flag.
- The students joined together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Her official name is “Liberty Enlightening the World”.
- Hope and Mac help Libby show off her true measurements.
- When you visit Libby on her pedestal you will find that her finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
- Libby shows off her selfie stick for a quick picture.
- There are 25 windows that reveal the New York Harbor.
- The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- Libby explains how she was put together in America after sailing across the Atlantic in 300 different pieces.
- The students close their eyes to imagine coming to America for the first time.
- “We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now” -MLK Jr.
- Libby introduces her helping hand, Mr. Palmer, who will help teach some valuable lessons.
- Libby leads the students in the tour anthem “YOU in the USA”.
- “Only you can keep the YOU in the USA”.
- “YOU in the USA” song helpers: Jayden, Claire, Andrew, Jami, Shelby and Dani
- The Next Great Americans of Abbeville
- The future Super Citizens of Abbeville
- The Next Great Americans of Abbeville
- The future Super Citizens of Abbeville
- The official Libby Liberty™ selfie