Today more than 400 elementary students from Brantley High School, Luverne High School, & Highland Home School 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 Crenshaw County students are excited to become Super Citizens.
- The students pose with the Torch Pin and Statue of Liberty replica before the kickoff.
- These great citizens are about to start a great journey.
- These smiling students are excited to meet Libby Liberty™.
- Mr. Jamie Howard – Luverne High School Principal welcomed everyone to the 2016 Super Citizen Kickoff.
- J’Niya and Aariyah lead their classmates in the pledge
- Her official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
- Jayden and Shalie helped Libby on stage
- Libby shows off her selfie stick for a quick picture.
- The etchings on her tablet represent the date of American independence, July 4th 1776.
- The chains around her feet are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- Libby leads the students in the tour theme song “YOU in the USA”.
- The students close their eyes to imagine coming to America after a long, hard journey.
- Libby shares the iconic poem, The New Colossus.
- Linda Pierce, Crenshaw County Federation President, along with many other community and business leaders show their support for Crenshaw County Students.
- “YOU in the USA” song helpers: Naima, Uriah, Chloe, Uriah, Chloe, Anna Claire, Jackson and Paige
- “Only You Can Keep the YOU in the USA”.
- The view from the stage as Libby leads the students in song.
- Libby gets a picture with these Super Citizens after the kickoff.
- The Next Great Americans of Crenshaw County
- The future Super Citizens of Crenshaw County
- The Next Great Americans of Crenshaw County
- The future Super Citizens of Crenshaw County
- The Next Great Americans of Crenshaw County
- The future Super Citizens of Crenshaw County
- The Next Great Americans of Crenshaw County
- The future Super Citizens of Crenshaw County
- The Next Great Americans of Crenshaw County
- The future Super Citizens of Crenshaw County
- The Next Great Americans of Crenshaw County
- The future Super Citizens of Crenshaw County
- The Next Great Americans of Crenshaw County
- The future Super Citizens of Crenshaw County
- The Next Great Americans of Crenshaw County
- The future Super Citizens of Crenshaw County
- The Next Great Americans of Crenshaw County