Today second graders from Leeds Elementary 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 Jefferson 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 >
- Leeds Elementary students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- Zy’Yah and Will 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!
- She isn’t green like Shrek, she turned patina through a process called oxidation.
- Do you know what’s written on Libby’s tablet? Here’s a hint: It’s the date of American Independence!
- Mr. Eiffel designed her skeleton, just like he designed the Eiffel Tower!
- She was built all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in Paris, France!
- On October 28, 1886 they had a huge celebration to welcome Libby home to America.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
- Libby and Mr. Palmer are excited to share with the students about the Hands on Liberty program!
- You ARE The Next Great Americans!
- 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.”
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- The show may be over, but the Liberty memories are just beginning!
- U.S.A.!
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- Libby loves getting the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Libby Liberty™ + Sabrina Rose from Leeds City Council = a great Liberty moment!
- The Next Great Americans of Leeds Elementary!
- Leeds Elementary students are excited to begin their Hands on Liberty journey!
- These amazing Leeds Elementary students are ready for an exciting Hands on Liberty adventure!
- Libby Liberty™ loved meeting the students of Leeds Elementary!
- Nothing but smiles from these amazing Leeds Elementary students!
- Libby Liberty™ poses with these awesome Leeds Elementary students after the kickoff!
- Big smiles and lots of excitement from these amazing Leeds Elementary students!
- These Leeds Elementary students are all smiles after an exciting Hands on Liberty kickoff!
- Libby loved getting to pose with Rachel Shaddix and her daughter, Emmy!
- Libby loves getting to visit with the students after the show!
- From the stage to up close and personal! Students had the chance to meet Libby Liberty™, share a smile, and make a Liberty memory of their own.












































