Feb. 4, 2015 – Monroeville, AL – 

For the third year in a row the Next Great Americans Bus Tour rolled into Monroe Co. to kick off the groundbreaking Super Citizen Program for area schools. This year, about 300 students packed Alabama Southern Community College’s auditorium to welcome a theatrical perforamance from the tour’s star: Lady Liberty. (Or Libby Liberty™ as we’re now calling her)

Students from Monroeville Middle, Excel High, Monroe Intermediate, JU Blacksher and JF Shields cheered, sang and were enthralled as Libby brought history to life and introduced them to the prorgam they will begin when the buss rolls away. The Super Citizen Program helps educators round out the equation for life and career-ready youth by helping them teach civics, character, financial literacy and social studies in the shringking sliver of time they have left in the school day. 

In short, it arms them with exciting tools to teach, inspire & empower our Next Great Americans.

Today’s event, teacher training, volunteers and program resource kits were all donated by Alabama Power and Georgia Pacific, both long-time supporters and believers that community and educational investment reaps rewards – especially when we are reaching, and touching the hearts of, kids at a young age.

Mayor of Monroeville, Mike Kennedy echoed the need and impact that happens when great community citizens get involved, “Its such a great program and I appreciate Alabama Power and Georiga Pacific for allowing this to happen … They’ll learn what being a great citizen is, and we need that so much. They are our future … It will make such a great difference in communities all over the United States, and that’s what we’re in great need of at this time.“

After 10 weeks and a project-based learning activity called “Torch Teams,” schools will gather again to bring their lessons full-circle by nominating and honoring local heroes for having the same good character they lhave been studying. “It brings learning out beyond school walls and into the community,” says tour manager Tawanna Vickers.

Annie M. Shelton, Mayor of Beatrice, reiterates that enthusiasm, “I hope they come back and learn that as a citizen they have privleages and responsibilities. And if they do what they are supposed to do (follow the laws and the rules that are set for our cities, our county, and the government) then, they can become productive citizens and contribute to our society. Instead of being a burden to our society, they can be contributors. They can give back, help someone else, so that our community and our country can be a better place for all of us to live.“

As today’s kickoff concluded, Libby lead the students in the tour anthem, “YOU in the USA,” and it was clear that these students were already learning how exciting and powerful their roles are in America’s future. Because as the song says: “Only YOU can keep the U in the U.S.A.”

See who last year’s Torch Teams honored here >