Today over 900 elementary students from Dothan City Schools 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 >
-
-
These Dothan City Schools second and fifth graders are excited to kickoff the Super Citizen Program!
-
-
Smiling faces of future Super Citizens!
-
-
Briley and Jaxon helped Libby show off her true measurements.
-
-
Her finger is the same length as a car!
-
-
Libby’s outer skin isn’t green like Shrek, but rather patina.
-
-
Her outer layer is made up of copper, which oxidized, causing her patina!
-
-
Libby’s broken chains symbolize our freedom from oppression.
-
-
Ellis Island is right beside Liberty Island.
-
-
These students imagine they’ve been on a long journey.
-
-
Imagining what it would be like to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
-
-
“We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now.” – MLK, Jr.
-
-
We are all an important part of the American story.
-
-
Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
-
-
Mr. Palmer introduces the Helping Hands Program.
-
-
Penny Kinsey, of the Liberty Learning Foundation, encourages students to take pride in their community!
-
-
Student volunteers help Libby lead the tour anthem!
-
-
Singing “Only You in the U.S.A.!”
-
-
Loud and proud for Liberty!
-
-
Only you can keep the “you” in the U.S.A.!
-
-
Libby was thrilled to meet donor Tom Ziegenfelder.
-
-
Libby grabs a pic with these future Super Citizens!
-
-
Smiling faces of our Next Great Americans!
-
-
Libby proudly poses with these future Super Citizens!
-
-
Libby was grateful to meet some of our heroes- teachers!
-
-
These future Super Citizens grab a picture with Libby!
-
-
Libby grabs a pic with these future Super Citizens!
-
-
Libby proudly poses with these future Super Citizens!
-
-
Smiling faces of our Next Great Americans!
-
-
Libby proudly poses with these future Super Citizens!
-
-
Smiling faces of our Next Great Americans!
-
-
Libby proudly poses with these future Super Citizens!
-
-
These future Super Citizens grab a picture with Libby!
-
-
Libby grabs a pic with these future Super Citizens!
-
-
Smiling faces of our Next Great Americans!
-
-
These future Super Citizens grab a picture with Libby!
-
-
Libby proudly poses with these future Super Citizens!
-
-
Libby grabs a pic with these future Super Citizens!
-
-
Smiling faces of our Next Great Americans!
-
-
Libby proudly poses with these future Super Citizens!
-
-
These future Super Citizens grab a picture with Libby!
-
-
These student ambassadors were a wonderful asset to the program today! Thank you for your leadership!
-
-
The official Libby Liberty™ selfie!