Today more than 375 elementary students from Sylacauga 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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These Sylacauga City students are excited to begin the Super Citizen Program!
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These Sylacauga second-graders are future Super Citizens.
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Cooper, Tadrarius, Lexi, Brady, Josie, and Sydney lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Libby’s official name is Liberty Enlightening the World!
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Libby’s finger is the same size is a car!
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Asiyah and Makenly helped Libby show off her true measurements.
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Libby isn’t green like Shrek, but rather patina.
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Libby’s broken chains symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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Libby’s outer layer is copper, which oxidized causing patina.
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These students imagine they’ve been on a long journey.
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Imagining what it would be like to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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Libby directs the students to imagine what it means to see the Statue for the first time.
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“We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now.” -M.L.K., Jr.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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Mr. Palmer introduces the Helping Hands program.
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Joyce Bishop, from the Liberty Learning Foundation, encourages students to make a difference in their communities.
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Mr. Daren Holland of Alfa Insurance encourages the students to take pride in themselves and in their communities.
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Zanhiya, Nahla, Alanna, Zach, Jaci, Johnathan, Ashley, and Kelsi lead their classmates in the Next Great Americans Tour Anthem.
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Only “you” can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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Singing loud and proud for Liberty!
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These students are future Super Citizens!
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Smiling faces of our Next Great Americans!
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Libby snaps a picture with these future Super Citizens.
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Posing proudly with Libby.
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Libby was thrilled to meet our Next Great Americans.
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Our Next Great Americans!
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Smiling faces of future Super Citizens.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Sylacauga City students.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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Smiling faces of our Next Great Americans.
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These excited students will soon begin the Super Citizen Program.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Montgomery County students.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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Libby was happy to snap a picture with Laura Strickland, president of the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce.
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Libby snaps a picture with the Assistant Principal of Pinecrest Elementary School, Julie Green.
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We appreciate the sponsorship and support of our friends from Alfa and the Chamber of Commerce!
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Andy Shoemaker, Daren Holland, and Ronnie Craddick pose with Libby for a picture.
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The official Libby Liberty™ selfie!