Today 575 elementary students from Fleeta, Straughn, W.S. Harlan, Pleasant Home, and Red Level Elementary came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2018. 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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Superintendent Driver welcomes everyone to the Super Citizen kickoff.
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Riley, Bradlynn, Abigail, & Riley 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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Laeton & Levi help Libby show off her real measurements.
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Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
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Libby shows off her selfie stick to get a picture with the students.
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There are 25 windows in her crown that you see the beautiful view of the New York Harbor.
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She isn’t green like Shrek, she turned patina through a process called oxidation.
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The letters on her tablet represent the date of American Independence!
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The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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On October 28, 1886 they had a huge celebration to welcome Libby home to America.
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Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
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These students imagine what it would be like to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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The students close their eyes to imagine they are on a long, hard journey.
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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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We all share in the same bright future that is possible because of the ideals for which Libby stands.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom.
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The students wave their flags in song.
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Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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U.S.A.!
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The students filled the auditorium with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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These Covington County 5th grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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These Covington County 2nd grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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These Covington County 5th grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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These Covington County 2nd grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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These Covington County 5th grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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These Covington County 5th grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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These Covington County 2nd grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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The official Libby Liberty™ selfie!