Today 100 elementary students from Pike Liberal Arts School came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2023. 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 >
- The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!Anise
- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
- Anise & Dalton lead their classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Matthey & Gideon help Libby show off her real measurements.
- Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader or Harry Potter?!
- Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
- From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field
- She developed a greenish patina through a process called oxidation.
- The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
- Imagine 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 all share in the same bright future that is possible because of the ideals for which Libby stands.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
- Thank you, Troy Bank and Trust!
- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom.
- Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!
- Zeb sings loud and proud with the students!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- U.S.A.!
- Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!
- Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
- Libby loves seeing the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Libby loves getting a picture with our Troy Bank and Trust family!
- Jerry Miller & Steve Morelock with Troy Bank and Trust meet Libby for the first time, so we had to get their picture!
- Pike Lib students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
- Libby grabs a picture with these Super Citizens after the show!
- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
- These Super Citizens sneak a picture with Libby after the show!
- The Next Great Americans of Troy!
- Pike Lib students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
- Libby could not wait to get a picture with Zeb!