Today second graders from Creek View and Meadow View 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 Shelby 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 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 >
- Alabaster City Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- 2nd grade Students of Alabaster City Schools arrive to their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- These students are excited to arrive at the Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- These students are excited to arrive at the Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- All smiles from Alabaster City Schools students as they prepare to meet Libby Liberty™!
- Alabaster City Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™!
- 2nd grade students and teachers ready for their kickoff!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- These students are excited to arrive at the Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- 2nd grade Students of Alabaster City Schools arrive to their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- All smiles from Alabaster City Schools students as they prepare to meet Libby Liberty™!
- 2nd grade students and teachers ready for their kickoff!
- Waving their flags with excitement as they arrive at their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- Kameron and Bentley 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!
- Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader, or Harry Potter?!
- Her finger is 8 feet long or about the size of an entire car!
- From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
- When Libby was originally built, she was a shiny copper color just like a brand-new penny!
- Libby’s torch is what lights the way to freedom.
- Do you know what’s written on Libby’s tablet? Here’s a hint: It’s the date of American Independence!
- In the workshop, the artists worked on all the different parts of Libby!
- They put her together piece by piece, like the most gigantic Lego structure EVER!
- Libby exclaims that on October 28, 1886, America had a huge celebration to welcome her home!
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
- Libby wants the students to remember 3 words: Citizen, Community, and Appreciation!
- Libby leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- U.S.A.!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!
- We are so thankful to Representative Russell Bedsole; Representative Kenneth Paschal; Senator April Weaver; Jessie Gilliland of Spire, Inc.; Ashley McCollough of the Alabaster-Pelham Rotary Club; Mimi Penhale, Legislative Director at the Shelby Legislative Delegation; and Brent Byars of the Central Office for showing up and supporting Alabaster City Schools students!
- Libby loved posing with Senator April Weaver, Representative Russell Bedsole, and Representative Kenneth Paschal!
- We are immensely appreciative of Representative Russell Bedsole for showing up for the students of Alabaster City Schools and supporting our programs!
- Libby Liberty™ loved getting to pose for a special photo with Mimi Penhale and her daughter, Cora!
















































