Today, more than 225 second and fourth grade elementary students from Brewton Elementary 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 smiling faces are posing with the Statue of Liberty replica and Torch Pin.
- All smiles as they wait to start the Super Citizen Program.
- These students are getting ready to meet Libby Liberty™.
- These Brewton Elementary students are excited to meet Libby Liberty.
- Miles, Maria, Joseph, & Atiya lead their classmates in the Pledge of Alligiance.
- Anne Lambert, Principal welcomes Libby Liberty™ to the Stage.
- Her official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
- Molly and Lavarius help Libby show her true measurements when on her pedestal.
- Her nose is about the size of your average 5th grader… or Harry Potter.
- Her finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
- Libby shows off her selfie stick for a picture with the students.
- Her shoe size is 879!
- Each one of her spikes is about the size of a Great White Shark!
- She turned Patina through process called Oxidation.
- Her chains are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
- Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green for the first time.
- The students close their eyes to picture 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 shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus”.
- Libby and Mr. Palmer excitedly share with Brewton 2nd & 5th graders the Super Citizen Programs they are doing!
- We love our Alfa Family in Brewton! Pictured here is Bo Bishop, Judy Robbins, Cindi Darby, Jake Harper, Sammy Gibbs, & Paul Brown.
- MyAsia, Brooks , Lindsey, Ashton, Peyton, & Aubrey sing with Libby!
- The students wave their flags in song.
- Only YOU can Keep the U in the USA!
- Superintendent, Kenneth Varner and Principal Anne Lambert pose with Libby™.
- Libby gets a post-kickoff picture with these Super Citizens from Alfa, the school and other Super Citizens!
- Libby smiles proudly with this Super Citizen Christopher George.
- Alfa poses proudly with Brewton Elementary teachers and Libby!
- These Brewton Elementary students are excited to pose Libby Liberty.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Brewton Elementary students.
- Our future Super Citizens of Brewton Elementary School.
- These Brewton Elementary students are excited to pose Libby Liberty.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Brewton Elementary students.
- These Brewton Elementary students are excited to pose Libby Liberty.
- Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
- The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!