250 crown-wearing, flag-waving fifth graders cheered, clapped and counted down to a grand entrance by Libby Liberty™ at Gardendale Elementary. Fresh off her Next Great Americans Tour bus, the lady in green brought history to life and introduced students to the 10-week civics, character, financial literacy and social studies program they’ll begin after her bus rolls away.
The Super Citizen experience includes today’s kickoff event, immersive learning and community service projects and will culminate with a graduation celebration that sees students honoring local, everyday heroes from stage.
These crucial lessons are being taught thanks to funding from generous sponsors who understand that these lessons must be taught despite school budget cuts. The day ended with a rousing sing-a-long of the tour’s anthem, “YOU in the U.S.A.”
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- These great citizens pose for a picture before the kickoff.
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- The Gardendale students pose with the Statue of Liberty replica.
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- These great fifth graders are excited to meet Libby Liberty™.
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- These great citizens pose for a picture before the kickoff.
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- The Gardendale students pose with the Statue of Liberty replica.
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- This super student is excited to meet Libby Liberty™.
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- Ryan, Eli, Macy and Sailor lead their classmates in the pledge
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- The students join together in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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- Principal Laura Ware welcomed everyone to the 2016 Super Citizen Kickoff.
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- Ella and Nate helped Libby™ on stage
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- Ella and Nate help Libby show off her true measurements.
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- Libby shows off her selfie stick for a picture with the students.
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- Her torch is what lights the way to freedom.
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- The chains around her feet are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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- Ellis Island and Liberty Island are right next to each other and have a very rich history.
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- Artists in the workshop worked on different parts of Libby then put it all together.
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- Libby explains how she was brought over from France in 300 different pieces.
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- Libby asks the students to close their eyes and imagine they’ve been on a long, hard journey.
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- The students close their eyes to imagine coming to America for the first time.
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- The students picture what it might be like to come to America and be greeted by the lady in green.
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- Libby explains how our ancestors seek freedom and safety on American shores.
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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 have different stories but share in the same bright futures made possible by liberty.
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- “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”
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- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus”.
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- Cynthia Green of the Liberty Learning Foundation introduces the awesome men and women of ALFA to the students.
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- Mr. John Morris from Alfa spoke to the students about Alfa’s excitement in being to be a part of the program and how proud he was of them.
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- The students wave their flags and sing together for liberty.
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- The men and women of ALFA join together with the students of Gardendale to sing.
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- Libby leads the crowd in song during the kickoff.
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- The students of Gardendale join together to sing the tour Anthem, “YOU in the USA”.
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- “Only you can keep the YOU in the USA”.
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- Libby leads everyone in song with the help of Lizzie, Kendall, Brady, Vivian and Cullen
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- Without the incredible sponsorships like ALFA, this program would not be possible.
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- The Next Great Americans of Gardendale Elementary School
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- The future Super Citizens of Gardendale
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- These great citizens pose for a picture with Libby after the kickoff.
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- The Next Great Americans of Gardendale Elementary School
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- The future Super Citizens of Gardendale
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- These great citizens pose for a picture with Libby after the kickoff.
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- The Next Great Americans of Gardendale Elementary School
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- The official Libby Liberty™ selfie
