Today over 500 elementary students from Geneva 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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Future Super Citizens of Geneva County!
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Ian, Jude, Lillian, and Collin lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Libby’s official name is “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
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Harrison and Jemma help Libby show off her true measurements!
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Libby is covered in a thin layer of copper, which oxidized, causing her patina!
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Libby’s torch lights the way to freedom.
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Libby’s broken chains symbolize our freedom.
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Ellis Island is right beside Liberty Island.
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These students imagine being on a long journey to the United States.
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Imagining seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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Libby encourages students to imagine what it would mean to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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Mr. Palemer introduces the Helping Hands Program.
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Libby encourages our Next Great Americans!
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Student volunteers lead the Next Great Americans anthem.
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Loud and proud for Liberty!
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Singing “You in the U.S.A.!”
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Only you can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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Smiling faces of future Super Citizens!
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These students can’t wait to begin the Super Citizen Program.
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Our Next Great Americans pose with Libby!
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Libby proudly poses with our future Super Citizens!
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Smiling faces of future Super Citizens!
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These students can’t wait to begin the Super Citizen Program.
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Our Next Great Americans pose with Libby!
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Libby proudly poses with our future Super Citizens!
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Smiling faces of future Super Citizens!
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Smiling faces of future Super Citizens!
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Libby proudly poses with our future Super Citizens!
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Our Next Great Americans pose with Libby!
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These students are ready to begin the Super Citizen program.
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Smiling faces of future Super Citizens!
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Libby proudly poses with our future Super Citizens!
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Our Next Great Americans pose with Libby!
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Our Next Great Americans pose with Libby!
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Smiling faces of future Super Citizens!
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Libby meets one of future Super Citizens.
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Libby proudly poses with our future Super Citizens!
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Libby gets to meet some of our Next Great Americans.
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Smiling faces of future Super Citizens!
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Libby proudly poses with our future Super Citizens!
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The official Libby Liberty™ selfie.