Today 500 second and fifth grade elementary students from Geneva County School, Samson Elementary, and Slocomb 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 great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
- These students are getting ready to meet Libby Liberty™.
- All smiles as they wait to start the Super Citizen Program.
- These students are getting ready to meet Libby Liberty™.
- These smiling faces are posing with the Statue of Liberty replica.
- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
- Reid, Blake, Madison, Brantley, Maddox, & Erin join together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Cynthia Stafford, Geneva County Elementary Principal Welcomes Welcomes Libby to the Stage!
- Her official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
- Libby shows off her selfie stick for a picture with the students.
- Billy, Jordan, Caleb, & Hayes helped Libby show her true measurements when on her pedestal.
- Her chains are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- The students close their eyes to picture coming to America for the first time.
- The students close their eyes to picture coming to America for the first time.
- Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green for the first time.
- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus”.
- “We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now” MLK Jr.
- The students filled the auditorium with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA”.
- .The students wave their flags in song
- Raye Anna, Ella, Shatara, Joseph, Ryleigh, Ruthie, Aubrie, Evie, Hannah, Kohen, & Willow help Libby sing “Only You in the USA”
- Brad Kimbro with Wiregrass Electric presents their financial support to Penny Kensey with the Liberty Learning Foundation
- Libby poses with Brad Kimbro, Wiregrass Electric
- Libby gets a post-kickoff picture with these Super Citizens
- Libby smiles proudly with our partners Covington Electric & Wiregrass Electric.
- Becky Saunders with the Liberty Learning Foundation smiles proudly with our Covington Electric Cooperative partners!
- Becky Birdsong, Superintendent Ralph Riley, Asst Superintendent Barbarbar Greathouse, Curriculum pose with Libby!
- Deputy Sheriff Paul Dickerson smiles with Libby.
- Our future Super Citizens of Geneva County!
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- The Next Great Americans of Geneva County
- Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
- Our future Super Citizens of Geneva County!
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Super Citizens!
- Our future Super Citizens of Geneva County!
- The Next Great Americans of Geneva County
- Our future Super Citizens of Geneva County!
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Super Citizens!
- The Next Great Americans of Geneva County
- Our future Super Citizens of Geneva County!
- The Next Great Americans of Geneva County
- Our future Super Citizens of Geneva County!
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Super Citizens!
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- The Next Great Americans of Geneva County
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Super Citizens!
- Our future Super Citizens of Geneva County!
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Super Citizens!
- Our future Super Citizens of Geneva County!
- Libby Liberty™ smiles with her new friend, Cynthia Stafford, Geneva County Elementary Principal
- Thank you to these 2 for being such great hostesses to Libby™
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- LIbby smiles with this great citizen in her selfie!