It’s not every day that Lady Liberty visits your classroom, yet alone the mayor of the city you live in! But for this particular Huntsville City School, they received both during an event they will never forget. Liberty Learning Foundation’s Next Great Americans Bus Tour made its way to Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School on February 3rd to teach 4th and 5th graders about their important roles in this country’s future.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, a longtime supporter of Liberty Learning and the Super Citizen Program, watched as Lady Liberty took the stage. His wife, Eula Battle, joined the students in a rousing rendition of them in the crowd and sang along to the patriotic lyrics of the song.
But today’s events and the 10-week civic, character, financial literacy, career exploration and history program that follow wouldn’t be possible without strong community support and sponsorship.
Thankfully, Kerry Williams and his company Wells Fargo saw the need, made a generous donation and was here to join in today’s kickoff.
Principal Jennifer Douthit sums up the importance of community in making the program a success: “I think that this is something they will take with them for the rest of their life. They are going to be learning life-long skills that they will need in their adulthood and it really would not have been possible without Wells Fargo support.”
And Mayor Battle agrees, “the sponsors are investing in our children, they are investing in our future, they are taking those young minds and helping them realize what they are gonna be in the future. They are going to be leaders and that is so important. The sponsorship in this program is one that takes a young student and turns them into a citizen and turns them into part of the community. You take it to those levels, you are doing something special.”
In a few months, we’ll return to the school for the Graduation Celebration where students will receive certificates, recite the Super Citizen Pledge and honor their local heroes from stage. The public is invited. Check the schedule for dates and times as they are subject to change.