Today 625 elementary students from Covington County Schools (Fleeta, Pleasant Home, Red Level, Straight and WS Harlan Elementary schools) 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 students of Covington County are excited to meet Libby Liberty™.
- The smiling students show off the Authentic Statue of Liberty Replica and Torch Pin before the kickoff.
- Covington County students pose before the Super Citizen kickoff.
- These students of Covington County are excited to meet Libby Liberty™.
- The smiling students show off the Authentic Statue of Liberty Replica and Torch Pin before the kickoff.
- Covington County students pose before the Super Citizen kickoff.
- These students of Covington County are excited to meet Libby Liberty™.
- The smiling students show off the Authentic Statue of Liberty Replica and Torch Pin before the kickoff.
- Covington County students pose before the Super Citizen kickoff.
- These students of Covington County are excited to meet Libby Liberty™.
- The smiling students show off the Authentic Statue of Liberty Replica and Torch Pin before the kickoff.
- Kylie, Summer, Isaac, Zane, Riley and Summer as seen here leading the students in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Libby and some very special helpers show off her true measurements.
- Libby’s nose, when on her pedestal, is the size of Harry Potter.
- The Covington County students pose for a selfie with Libby Liberty™.
- Libby shows off her selfie stick.
- Libby explains how she was designed by the same artist who designed the EIffel tower.
- The students close their eyes to imagine coming to America for the first time.
- This student pictures seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
- Libby explains how we all have different American stories.
- Janna Jordan of the Liberty Learning Foundation encourages the kids about being a good citizen.
- Libby leads the students in “YOU in the USA” with the help of Claudia, Samantha, Shelby, Jaylee and Chloe.
- The students raise their voices together to sing “YOU in the USA”.
- The students raise their voices together to sing “YOU in the USA”.
- The next great Americans of Covington County
- The future super citizens of Covington County.
- Libby gets a picture with these citizens by the Next Great Americans Tour Bus.
- The next great Americans of Covington County
- The future super citizens of Covington County.
- Libby gets a picture with these citizens by the Next Great Americans Tour Bus.
- Libby gets a picture with these super citizens.
- The next great Americans of Covington County
- The future super citizens of Covington County.
- Libby gets a picture with these citizens by the Next Great Americans Tour Bus.
- The next great Americans of Covington County
- The future super citizens of Covington County.
- Libby gets a picture with these citizens by the Next Great Americans Tour Bus.
- The next great Americans of Covington County
- The future super citizens of Covington County.
- Libby gets a picture with these citizens by the Next Great Americans Tour Bus.
- The next great Americans of Covington County
- The future super citizens of Covington County.
- Libby gets a picture with these citizens by the Next Great Americans Tour Bus.
- The next great Americans of Covington County
- The future super citizens of Covington County.
- Libby gets a picture with these citizens by the Next Great Americans Tour Bus.
- The next great Americans of Covington County
- The future super citizens of Covington County.
- Libby gets a picture with these citizens by the Next Great Americans Tour Bus.
- The official Libby selfie