Today second graders from Joe M. Gillmore Elementary School cheered and counted down to the grand entrance of Libby Liberty™. Wearing green paper crowns and waving tiny American flags, they showed their enthusiasm for the Super Citizen Program they’ll begin after today’s theatrical performance.
Liberty Learning Foundation (with generous sponsorship by the Clarke County Community Alliance) is kicking off the program in a big way. Not only are students watching as the vivacious Statue of Liberty character brings history to life, they are also being introduced to the man who will give them a “hand” with lessons back in their classrooms. As Libby winds down, she hands the screen over to Mr. Palmer, a brash and brilliant hand-character who leads students in lessons in civics, character, financial literacy and our Great American Story.
After class photos with Libby, students and teachers return to classrooms energized to learn crucial, all-American lessons. They’ll also begin the process of nominating and honoring “Helping Hands Heroes” who they will honor at their graduation celebration when the program is complete for this year.
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 >
- 2nd graders of Joe M. Gillmore Elementary gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™
- Excited to meet Libby!
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- 2nd grade Students of Joe M. Gillmore Elementary arrive to their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Grison & Mollie lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Landon & Chloee help Libby show off her real measurements.
- Libby is MUCH bigger when she’s on her pedestal in New York City!
- Her finger is 8 feet long or about the size of an entire car!
- In the workshop, the artists worked on all the different parts of Libby! They put her together piece by piece, like the most gigantic Lego structure EVER!
- Libby exclaims that on October 28, 1886, America had a huge celebration to welcome her home!
- Auguste Bartholdi gifted Libby to the United States of America to celebrate our 100th birthday!.
- Libby invites the students to imagine what it would be like to be an immigrant traveling to Ellis Island.
- We all have different American stories.
- “The New Colossus” is engraved on Libby’s pedestal.
- Libby shows off the Liberty Learning Foundation Torch Pin that looks just like her.
- Each student is an important part of so many different communities, both big and small!
- Libby wants the students to remember 3 words: Citizen, Community, and Appreciation!
- Special thanks to the Clarke County Community Alliance for making our kickoff possible!
- The Next Great Americans of Jackson!
- Super Citizens help Libby lead everyone in our tour anthem.
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Libby loves seeing students excited to sing along to her tour anthem!
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- U.S.A.!
- Libby loves getting pictures with real-life Super Citizens and Community Leaders!
- The Next Great Americans of Joe M. Gillmore Elementary!
- Joe M. Gillmore Elementary 2nd grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™!
- Joe M. Gillmore Elementary students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™!
- These Joe M. Gillmore Elementary students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen journey!
- Libby had a blast today with these students from Joe M. Gillmore Elementary!


































