Today second graders from Catoma, MLK, Morris, Nixon, Flowers, Halcyon, Southlawn, and Dalraida 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 Montgomery 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 >
- Montgomery County Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™!
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- These students are excited to arrive at the Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- All smiles from Montgomery County Schools students as they prepare to meet Libby Liberty™!
- Montgomery County Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™!
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- 2nd grade Students of Montgomery County Schools arrive to their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Javvin and Paityn 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!
- 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!
- 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!
- 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!
- Auguste Bartholdi gifted Libby to the United States of America to celebrate our 100th birthday!
- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
- We all have different American stories.
- 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!
- Libby shows off the Liberty Learning Foundation Torch Pin that looks just like her.
- You ARE The Next Great Americans!
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- U.S.A.!
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- Libby loves getting the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- We are so thankful to Guardian Credit Union for supporting our programs!
- Libby loves getting pictures with real-life Super Citizens and Community Leaders!
- These students are excited to meet Libby Liberty!
- The show may be over, but the Liberty memories are just beginning!
- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
- Libby had a blast today with these students from Montgomery County Schools!
- A special moment with a very special friend! Our newest Super Citizens loved getting to meet Libby Liberty™ after the show!












































