Today more than 260 second and fifth grade elementary students from Mulkey Elementary School came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2016. 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 walks 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 >
- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
- These smiling faces are posing with the Statue of Liberty replica.
- All smiles as they wait to start the Super Citizen Program.
- These students are getting ready to meet Libby Liberty™.
- These Mulkey Elementary students are excited to meet Libby Liberty.
- These students are getting ready to meet Libby Liberty™.
- Abigayle, Landry, Landon, & Gracie lead their classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Principal Jami Seay welcomes Libby to the stage!
- Her official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
- Grant & Michael help Libby show her true measurements when on her pedestal.
- Her finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
- Her shoe size is 879!
- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
- Her chains are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- Libby shows off how Oxidation has turned her Patina
- Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green for the first time.
- The students close their eyes to picture coming to America for the first time.
- The students close their eyes to picture coming to America for the first time.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus”.
- “We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now” MLK Jr.
- Libby Liberty™ and Mr. Palmer share with the students about the Super Citizen Program
- Jayda, Baylee, Kori, Ivey, Simone, & Layne lead their classmates in “Only You in the USA”.
- The students filled the auditorium with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA”.
- Singing Loud and Proud!
- Penny Kinsey with the Liberty Learning Foundation says Thank You to our Sponsors!
- Rhonda Stringer, Superintendent; Principal , Jami Seay; Asst Principal, Donnie Smith pose with Libby Liberty™.
- Rhonda Stringer, Superintendent and Libby™ smile for a picture!
- The Next Great Americans of Mulkey Elementary School.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Mulkey Elementary students.
- The Next Great Americans of Mulkey Elementary School.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- Libby Liberty™ smiles with this Super Citizen!
- The Next Great Americans of Mulkey Elementary School.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- The future Super Citizens of Geneva
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Mulkey Elementary students.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- These Super Citizens are happy to talk with Libby Liberty™ after her show.