Today, students from Abbeville and Headland Elementary Schools 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 with the Statue of Liberty replica before the event begins.
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These great citizens lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Nishai and Mackenzie 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 chains are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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Libby asks the students to close their eyes and imagine coming to America for the first time.
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The close their eyes and picture seeing lady in green for the first time.
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They are imagining what it would be like to see America after a long, hard journey.
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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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Libby shares the iconic poem, “The New Colossus.”
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Becky Saunders of the Liberty Learning Foundation talks to the students about their generous sponsors.
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Students from each school help Libby lead the tour anthem “YOU in the USA.”
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“Only you can keep the YOU in the USA”.
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The view from the stage as the students sing the tour anthem together.
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Libby and Superintendent Padget get a picture together.
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The Next Great Americans of Henry County
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The future Super Citizens of Henry County
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Libby gets a picture with this awesome citizen after the kickoff.
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The Next Great Americans of Henry County
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The future Super Citizens of Henry County
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The Next Great Americans of Henry County
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The future Super Citizens of Henry County
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The Next Great Americans of Henry County
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The future Super Citizens of Henry County
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The Next Great Americans of Henry County
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The future Super Citizens of Henry County
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The Next Great Americans of Henry County
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The future Super Citizens of Henry County
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The Next Great Americans of Henry County
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The future Super Citizens of Henry County
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The official Libby Liberty™ selfie