Today more than 925 elementary students from Huntsville City 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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Libby is so excited backstage before the kickoff!
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The students pose for a picture before the kickoff begins.
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The students will honor their community heroes with a Torch Pin and Authentic Statue of Liberty Replica.
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Steven Miller welcomes everyone to the 2017 Super Citizen kickoff.
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Emily, Cameron, Diana, Leslie, & Kaitlin lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Karen and Isai help Libby show off her real measurements.
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She isn’t green like Shrek, she turned patina through a process called oxidation.
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The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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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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The students close their eyes to imagine they are on a long hard journey.
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This student imagines what it would be like to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green for the first time.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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Libby and Mr. Palmer work together to share with these students about the Super Citizen Program.
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Jessica Quillin with LLF tells these students what an important role they play in their community and how much we thank our sponsors!
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Only YOU can keep the USA!
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Bella Grace, Lily Grace, Takiyah, Prince, Betsua, Skylynn, & Alan help lead the crowd in song.
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Mr. Miller helps Libby and her volunteers lead the crowd in song!
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U.S.A.!
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Group Hug with Libby!
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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Libby and these Super Citizen get a picture after the kickoff.
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These students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty.
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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Libby and these Super Citizen get a picture after the kickoff.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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These students are excited to pose Libby Liberty.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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These students are excited to pose Libby Liberty.
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Libby and these Super Citizen get a picture after the kickoff.
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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Libby and these Super Citizen get a picture 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 Mr. Miller after the show!
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Libby couldn’t pass up a picture with Mr. Brian Comer, he and his students helped Libby and her team so much today!
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The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!