Today 550 elementary students from Samson, Slocomb, and Geneva County Elementary Schools came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2024. 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 pulling up to the school 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 tour 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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Ryland & Hayden lead everyone 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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She isn’t green like Shrek, she turned patina through a process called oxidation.
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Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
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Libby, Mariah, & Beyker 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 reveals her 879 inch shoe size.
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From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
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Her torch is what lights the way to freedom.
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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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They put her together piece by piece like the most gigantic lego structure EVER!
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Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
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Libby invites the students to imagine what it would be like to be an immigrant traveling to Ellis Island.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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Super Citizens help Libby lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!
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Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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Singing along to our tour anthem!
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Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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Libby loves getting pictures with real-life Super Citizens and Community Leaders!
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Libby proudly poses for a picture with Jennifer Ward from Wiregrass Electric Cooperative
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These Geneva County students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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These Geneva County students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!!
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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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Libby greets the wonderful students of Geneva County!
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The Next Great Americans of Geneva County!
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These Geneva County students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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These Geneva County students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!!
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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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Libby greets the wonderful students of Geneva County!
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The Next Great Americans of Geneva County!
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These Geneva County students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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These Geneva County students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!!
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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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Libby greets the wonderful students of Geneva County!
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The Next Great Americans of Geneva County!
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These Geneva County students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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These Geneva County students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!!
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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.