Today 300 elementary students from Mulkey Elementary School came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2018. 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 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 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 >
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Mary Elizabeth & Garrett lead their classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Penny Kinsey welcomes everyone to the Super Citizen kickoff.
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Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
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Evian & McKinley help Libby show off her real measurements.
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Libby reveals her 879 inch shoe size.
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There are 25 windows in her crown that you see the beautiful view of the New York Harbor.
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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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Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
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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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The students close their eyes to imagine they are on a long, hard journey.
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Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green 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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We all share in the same bright future that is possible because of the ideals for which Libby stands.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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The students filled the auditorium with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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The students wave their flags in song.
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The Next Great Americans of Mulkey Elementary!
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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The Next Great Americans of Mulkey Elementary!
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Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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The Next Great Americans of Mulkey Elementary!
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The Next Great Americans of Mulkey Elementary!
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Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!