Today more than 400 elementary students from Headland Elementary and Abbeville Elementary 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 smiling faces are posing with the Torch Pin and Statue of Liberty replica.
- These Henry County students are excited to meet Libby Liberty.
- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
- These smiling faces are posing with the Torch Pin and Statue of Liberty replica.
- These Henry County students are excited to meet Libby Liberty.
- Ethan and Juan from Headland Elementary and Ashlee, Winder and Mya from Abbeville Elementary lead their classmates in the pledge
- The students join together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Henry County Schools Superintendent, Lesa Knowles, welcomes everyone to the 2016 Super Citizen Program.
- Her official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
- Ben from Headland Elementary and Brodie from Abbeville Elementary helped Libby on stage
- Her finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
- Libby shows off her selfie stick to get a picture with the students.
- She started a dull brown color and over time turned a beautiful color through Oxidation.
- Her chains are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- The students close their eyes to picture coming to America for the first time.
- “We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now” MLK Jr.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus”.
- Libby Liberty™ gives the students a message of bright hope for the future.
- Many thanks to these Super Citizens: Boyd Deal, Area Director of the Alabama Farmers Federation, George Jeffcoat, Senior Vice President of the Alabama Farmers Federation, Gloria Jeffcoat, Women’s Committee Chairman of Houston County Farmers Federation, Fred Helms, District XII State Director of the Alabama Farmers Federation, Johnny Lee, President of the Henry County Farmers Federation and Alfa agents Walter Gay and Keith Nall.
- Libby leads the crowd in the anthem theme song “YOU in the USA”.
- “YOU in the USA” helpers: HEADLAND: Emily, Nicholas, Angel and Tylen, ABBEVILLE: Christin, Kendrick, Xavier and Matthew
- The view from the stage as the student sing together.
- Libby gets a post-kickoff picture with these Super Citizens from Alfa
- Golden Peanut – John Sheppard with Golden Peanut smiles with Libby
- Henry County Super Citizen, Rhonda Harrison and Libby
- Henry County Super Citizen, Judge David Money and Libby
- Henry County Schools Superintendent, Lesa Knowles and Libby
- Henry County Super Citizens and Libby
- The Next Great Americans of Henry County
- The future Super Citizens of Henry County
- The Next Great Americans of Henry County
- The future Super Citizens of Henry County
- The Next Great Americans of Henry County
- The future Super Citizens of Henry County
- The Next Great Americans of Henry County
- The future Super Citizens of Henry County
- The Next Great Americans of Henry County
- The future Super Citizens of Henry County
- The Next Great Americans of Henry County
- The future Super Citizens of Henry County
- The Next Great Americans of Henry County
- The future Super Citizens of Henry County