Today, over 500 elementary students from Talladega 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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The students of Talladega County show their excitement to meet Libby Liberty™.
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All smiles as they embark on their Super Citizen journey.
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The students get a picture together before the kickoff.
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Eli, Emma, Kelsey, Kathryn, Neeley, Onika and Jacob lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Jalen and Alexis help Libby show off her true measurements.
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Libby shows off her selfie stick to get a picture with the students.
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She is 305 feet tall!
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She turned patina through a process called oxidation.
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July 4, 1776 is the date of American Independence.
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Her chains are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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Libby encourages the students to imagine what it would be like to see America for the first time.
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The students imagine meeting the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island.
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They picture coming to America for the first time.
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We all share in the same bright futures even though we have different American stories.
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Libby shares the poem “The New Colossus”.
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Joyce Bishop of the Liberty Learning Foundation introduces the students to their generous sponsors.
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Somer, Myia, Angel, Messiah, Rylee, Claire, Za’Sira, Allisa, Emma, Addison, Katherine, Peyton, Kloie, Isabella, Kayden, Jontavious, Christa and Lyric help lead the crowd in the tour anthem “YOU in the USA”
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The view from the stage as the students all sing about Liberty.
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This citizen helped lead the song with Libby Liberty™.
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The Next Great Americans of Talladega County
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The Next Great Americans of Talladega County
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The Next Great Americans of Talladega County
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The Next Great Americans of Talladega County
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The Next Great Americans of Talladega County
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The Next Great Americans of Talladega County
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The Next Great Americans of Talladega County
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The Next Great Americans of Talladega County
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The Next Great Americans of Talladega County
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The future Super Citizens of Talladega County
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The official Libby Liberty™ selfie