175 crown-wearing, flag-waving third graders cheered, clapped and counted down to a grand entrance by Libby Liberty™ at Cherokee Elementary School. Fresh off her Next Great Americans Tour bus, the lady in green brought history to life and introduced students to the 10-week civics, character, financial literacy and social studies program they’ll begin after her bus rolls away.
The Super Citizen experience includes today’s kickoff event, immersive learning and community service projects and will culminate with a graduation celebration that sees students honoring local, everyday heroes from stage.
These crucial lessons are being taught thanks to funding from the Marshall County Community Alliance who understand that these lessons must be taught despite school budget cuts. The day ended with a rousing sing-a-long of the tour’s anthem, “YOU in the U.S.A.”
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 >
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- 3rd graders of Cherokee Elementary gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™.
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- Principal Julieann McCulley welcomes everyone to the Super Citizen kickoff.
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- Zarandan and Elena lead their classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
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- Shiloh and Chance help Libby show off her real measurements.
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- Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
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- She developed a greenish patina through a process called oxidation.
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- The letters on her tablet represent the date of American Independence!
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- The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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- Mr. Eiffel designed her skeleton!
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- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
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- These students imagine what it would be like to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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- The students close their eyes to imagine they are on a long, hard journey.
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- Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green for the first time.
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- “We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now.” – MLK Jr.
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- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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- Libby shows off the Liberty’s Legacy Authentic Liberty Replica.
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- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom.
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- The students filled the gym with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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- The students wave their flags in song.
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- These 3rd grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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- Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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- These 3rd grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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- Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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- Libby proudly poses with Principal McCulley
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- The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!
