Today more than 800 second graders from Lakewood Primary, Meadowlane Elementary, Phenix City Elementary, Ridgecrest Elementary, Westview Elementary, and Sherwood Elementary Schools cheered and counted down to the grand entrance of Libby Liberty™. Wearing green paper crowns and waving tiny American flags, they showed their enthusiasm for the Super Citizen Program they’ll begin after today’s theatrical performance.
Liberty Learning Foundation (with generous sponsorship by the Russell County Community Alliance) is kicking off the program in a big way. Not only are students watching as the vivacious Statue of Liberty character brings history to life, they are also being introduced to the man who will give them a “hand” with lessons back in their classrooms. As Libby winds down, she hands the screen over to Mr. Palmer, a brash and brilliant hand-character who leads students in DVD-based lessons in civics, character, financial literacy and our Great American Story.
After class photos with Libby, students and teachers return to classrooms energized to learn crucial, all-American lessons. They’ll also begin the process of nominating and honoring “Helping Hands Heroes” who they will honor at their graduation celebration when the program is complete for this year.
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 >
-
-
Jacob, India, and Landy lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
-
-
Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to greet the students of Phenix City Schools!
-
-
Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
-
-
Josiah, Christine, and Nathan help Libby show off her real measurements.
-
-
Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
-
-
The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!
-
-
From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
-
-
She isn’t green like Shrek, she turned patina through a process called oxidation.
-
-
When Libby was originally built, she was a shiny copper color just like a brand-new penny!
-
-
Her torch is what lights the way to freedom.
-
-
The letters on her tablet represent the date of American Independence!
-
-
The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
-
-
Libby’s skeleton is made of iron and steel!
-
-
They put her together like a Minecraft Figure!
-
-
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.
-
-
Libby invites the students to imagine what it would be like to be an immigrant traveling to Ellis Island.
-
-
Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
-
-
Libby shares all about the exciting Super Citizen Program the students are about to begin!
-
-
Libby and Mr. Palmer are excited to share with the students about the Hands on Liberty program!
-
-
She symbolizes the American Dream!
-
-
Libby leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!
-
-
Super Citizens help Libby lead everyone in our tour anthem.
-
-
Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!
-
-
Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
-
-
Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!
-
-
Singing along to our tour anthem!
-
-
Singing along to our tour anthem!
-
-
Waving their flags in song and celebration!
-
-
The students and heroes filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
-
-
“Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
-
-
These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
-
-
Libby loves getting pictures with real-life Super Citizens and Community Leaders!