Today more than 900 elementary students from DeKalb County 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 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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The students pose for a picture before the kickoff begins.
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Kooper, Anabelle, Maci Elrod, Sherlin, Sofia & Eli McQueen lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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The students stand together to recite 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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Brantley and Jacob help Libby show off her real measurements.
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Her finger is 8 feet long which is the size of a car.
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She isn’t green like Shrek, she turned 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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The students close their eyes to imagine they are on a long hard journey.
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This student imagines what it would be like to see the Statue of Liberty 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 futures that are made possible by the things Libby stands for.
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Ilean, Caleb, Serenity, Naomi, Jacqueline, Jaylei, & Makayla help lead the crowd in song.
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The students stand together to sing the tour anthem “YOU in the USA.”
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The students wave their flags in song.
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Jack & Joe Stiefel, DeKalb County Commissioner Ricky Harcrow, Patti Yancey with LFF all smile proudly with Libby!
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Libby is happy to grab a picture with Commissioner Harcrow.
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Jack & Joe Stiefel pose with Libby.
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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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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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb CountyThe Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb CountyThe Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb CountyThe Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb CountyThe Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb CountyThe Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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The Next Great Americans of DeKalb CountyThe Next Great Americans of DeKalb County
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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The future Super Citizens of DeKalb County
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!