Today 150 elementary students from Central Elementary School came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2021. 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 walked 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 >
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- Connor & Lee lead their classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
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- Ni Zerria, Bradley, & Ethan help Libby show off her real measurements.
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- Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
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- Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader or Harry Potter?!
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- There are 25 windows in her crown that you can see the beautiful view of the New York Harbor.
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- The spikes on her crown are about the size of a Great White Shark.
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- She developed a greenish patina through a process called oxidation.
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- The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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- In the workshop, the artist worked on all the pieces of her.
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- They put her back together, like a Minecraft figure.
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- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
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- Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green for the first time.
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- “We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now.” – MLK Jr.
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- You ARE The Next Great Americans!
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- Ada-Mae, Cadence, Gabe, Jase, Devieum, Memory, Jazmyne, Ja’Kyriah, & Aubriyona help Libby lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- The students wave their flags in song.
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- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom.
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- U.S.A.!
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- The students filled the gym with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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- U.S.A.!
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- These Super Citizens having a blast singing along to our tour anthem!
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- These students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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- The Next Great Americans of Central Elementary!
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- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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- The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!
