300 crown-wearing, flag-waving fifth graders from Waterloo, Wilson, Underwood, & Central Elementary Schools cheered, clapped and counted down to a grand entrance by Libby Liberty™ at Central Elementary School. Fresh off her Next Great Americans Tour, 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 tour 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 the Lauderdale County Community Alliance 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.”
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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- Jovie and Madelyn lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
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- Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
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- Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader, or Harry Potter?!
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- Pearlie and Andrew help Libby show off her real measurements.
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- There are 25 windows in her crown, from which you can see the beautiful view of the New York Harbor.
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- The spikes on her crown are about the size of a Great White Shark.
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- Her torch is what lights the way to freedom.
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- The letters on her tablet represent the date of American Independence!
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- The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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- Libby’s skeleton is made of very strong iron and steel.
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- When Libby was originally built, she was a shiny copper color just like a brand-new penny!
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- Mr. Eiffel designed her skeleton, just like he designed the Eiffel Tower!
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- She developed a greenish patina through a process called oxidation.
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- They put her together piece by piece, like the most gigantic lego structure EVER!
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- On October 28, 1886 they had a huge celebration to welcome Libby home to America.
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- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
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- “I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” –Emma Lazarus
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- Libby shares Ellis Island’s great history of welcoming Immigrants to the United States.
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- These students imagine what it would be like to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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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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- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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- Libby loves seeing the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
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- Singing along to our tour anthem!
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- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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- The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!
