Today second graders from Belgreen, East Franklin Junior High, Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Tharptown, & Vina 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 Franklin 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 >
- Franklin County Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™
- 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!
- Waving their flags with excitement as they arrive at their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- Blakee and Ella lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
- Cooper, Ryder, Slate, and Lucas help Libby show off her real measurements.
- 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!
- When Libby was originally built, she was a shiny copper color just like a brand-new penny!
- Do you know what’s written on Libby’s tablet? Here’s a hint: It’s the date of American Independence!
- She was built all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in Paris, France!
- 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!
- We all have different American stories.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
- Each student is an important part of so many different communities, both big and small!
- She symbolizes the American Dream!
- You ARE The Next Great Americans!
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Libby loves getting the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
- Thank you to Alan Rhudy and Marilyn Mayfield of Community Spirit Bank; Wesley Thigpen, Curriculum Assistant; Molly King, Curriculum Director; and Carol Murphree, School Board Member for their role in shaping the Next Great Americans!
- Thank you to Alan Rhudy & Marilyn Mayfield from Community Spirit Bank for their continued support of our programs!
- The Next Great Americans of Franklin County Schools!
- Franklin County Schools students are excited to begin their Hands on Liberty journey!
- These amazing Franklin County Schools students are ready for an exciting Hands on Liberty adventure!
- Hands on Liberty is officially underway for these incredible Franklin County Schools students!
- Libby Liberty™ loved meeting these great citizens from Franklin County Schools!
- We had a blast kicking off Hands on Liberty with the students of Franklin County Schools!
- Nothing but smiles from these amazing Franklin County Schools students!
- The future is bright with these incredible students from Franklin County Schools!
- Libby Liberty™ gets a picture with these Franklin County Schools students after the kickoff!
- Libby had a blast visiting with these amazing students from Franklin County Schools!
- The Hands on Liberty journey is off to a great start for Franklin County Schools!
- We loved celebrating the start of Hands on Liberty with these incredible Franklin County Schools students!
- These Franklin County Schools students are excited to see where their Hands on Liberty journey takes them!
- Hands on Liberty is bringing plenty of excitement to Franklin County Schools!
- The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!












































