On Feb. 4, 2014, students at Highlands Elementary School got a visit from The Next Great Americans Bus Tour and Lady Liberty who, though smaller than the real statue, put on a larger-than-life performance to kick off their 10-week Super Citizen Program.
400+ students watched as she brought the Statue of Liberty to life, led them in song and introduced them to the exciting lessons they’ll learn when the bus rolls away.
Made possible by Boeing, the program (and this unforgettable event) teaches crucial lessons in civics, character, financial literacy, career exploration and our Great American Story.
To punctuate the importance of these lessons, Boeing’s Norman Tew was on hand and took the stage to remind students that being “whatever they want to be” begins with being great citizens.
Though this crowd of onlookers included preK-5th graders, it’s the 5th graders who will work through the Super Citizen Program this year. Their graduation (set for April 22) will include the culmination of the project-based learning portion of the Super Citizen Program, Torch Teams.
In Torch Teams, students nominate, carefully select and, ultimately, honor local heroes on stage. “It’s the piece of the program that brings learning full-circle and out into the community,” says Liberty Learning founder Patti Yancey. “Because when you honor a hero, you become a hero.”
Certainly, our sponsors at Boeing were heroes for making today possible. Patsey Thomas, T.O.S.A. at Morris Elementary says, “Boeing wants to support it because we believe in this country and the future of this country is so bright.”