Today more than 900 elementary students from Valley Head, Ider, Plainview, Henager, Sylvania, and Fyffe came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2017. 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 are the smiling faces of DeKalb County.
- The students are excited to meet Libby Liberty™ and begin their Super Citizen journey.
- The students pose for a picture before they start the kickoff.
- All smiles as they wait to start the kickoff.
- Trey, Leo and Jed lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Giselle and Karalina help Libby show off her true measurements.
- Her official name is “Liberty Enlightening the World”.
- Libby makes her appearance and welcomes the students.
- Through a process called Oxidation, Libby turned Patina.
- The spikes on her crown are the size of a Great White Shark.
- Her shoe size is 879!
- Libby shows off her selfie stick to get a picture with the students.
- They close their eyes to imagine coming to America for the first time.
- They imagine what it would be like to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
- Libby lives on Liberty Island which is right next to Ellis Island.
- She sailed across the ocean to America in 300 different pieces.
- The chains around her feet are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- Meet Mr. Palmer, Libby LIberty’s helping hand.
- She recites “The New Colossus”.
- Sadie, Kayden, Chadwick, Gabriela, Brodie, Alan, Adleigh, Kaylee and Cutter help lead the students in song.
- The students of DeKalb County are our Next Great Americans.
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- Libby fixes the crown of this special student.
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- Libby grabs a quick hug from this smiling citizen.
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- Libby talks to this student before they take a class picture.
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- Libby and this sweet citizen get a selfie together.
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- High-fives all around as they finish up the kickoff.
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- Libby and this student grab a selfie.
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
- The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
- The official Libby Liberty™ selfie