Today 2nd and 5th grade elementary students from Montview Elementary, Jones Valley Elementary , & Whitesburg P-8 Elementary Schools came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2024. 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 pulling up to the school 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 tour 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 >
-
-
Zion, Ben, & Johnlya lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
-
-
Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
-
-
Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
-
-
Duke & Kate help Libby show off her real measurements.
-
-
Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
-
-
Libby reveals her 879 inch shoe size.
-
-
From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
-
-
The spikes on her crown are about the size of a Great White Shark.
-
-
She isn’t green like Shrek, she turned patina through a process called oxidation.
-
-
The letters on her tablet represent the date of American Independence!
-
-
The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
-
-
Mr. Eiffel designed her skeleton, just like he designed the Eiffel Tower!
-
-
They put her together piece by piece like the most gigantic lego structure EVER!
-
-
On October 28, 1886 they had a huge celebration to welcome Libby home to America.
-
-
Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
-
-
“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.”
-
-
We all hold the most important title!
-
-
Libby and Mr. Palmer are excited to share with the students about the Hands on Liberty program!
-
-
Super Citizens help Libby lead everyone in our tour anthem.
-
-
Waving their flags in song and celebration!
-
-
U.S.A.!
-
-
These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
-
-
Singing loud and proud!
-
-
Singing along to our tour anthem!
-
-
The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
-
-
Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!
-
-
Libby loves seeing the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
-
-
Singing along with Libby to our tour anthem!
-
-
U.S.A.!
-
-
The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!