Today over 650 elementary students from Covington County Schools came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2017. They waved flags, wore Statue of Liberty crowns and counted down for Libby Liberty™ to take the stage. On three huge screens “live video” shows her Next Great Americans tour bus pulling up to the school, her exiting the bus and then, the real-life Libby walked out from behind the screens!
The lady in green brought history to life and introduced students to the 10-week civic, character, financial literacy and social studies program they will begin when her bus rolls away. She told them that they already have the most important title in the world: “CITIZEN.”
Students in multiple grades are participating in the Super Citizen Program. The younger grades are taught by an innovative civic education program starring Mr. Palmer (the hand-puppet host of the “Hands on Liberty” DVD series). Upper elementary grades learn from the original Super Citizen Program kit that features DVD-based lessons, class activities and the emotional, unforgettable “Torch Teams” project-based learning experience. In Torch Teams, students team up, nominate, vote for and, ultimately, honor local heroes from stage at their graduation later this year. They learn that “When you honor a hero, you become a hero.”
Today’s event and the injection of civic learning is free to schools because of generous community sponsors who understand that these crucial lessons must be taught – despite school time and budget constraints.
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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All smiles as they get ready to meet Libby Liberty™.
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The students are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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Mikyla, Bre, Hayden, Kalleigh, Sophie and Makayla help lead the students in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Her official name is “Liberty Enlightening the World”.
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These two citizens helped Libby show off her true measurements.
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She turned patina through a process called Oxidation.
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Her chains are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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Libby asks the students to close their eyes and imagine coming to America for the first time.
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The students imagine coming to America after a long, hard journey.
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The picture seeing the Statue of Liberty 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 introduced Mr. Palmer who will help teach the children important lessons.
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Chloe, Cheyenne, Latianna, Leighanne, Janiyah, Ethan, Carley, Addyson, Phoenix, Janiyah, Kyleigh, Christian, Brody and Gracie lead the crowd in song.
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The view from the stage as the students sing together about liberty.
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Nikki Guilford, Curriculum Coordinator, gets a picture with Libby after the kickoff.
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Phillip Jones with Solon & Martha Dixon Foundation and Libby get a post-kickoff picture.
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The Next Great Americans of Covington County
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The future Super Citizens of Covington County
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The official Libby Liberty™ selfie