Today more than 575 elementary students from Pike County Schools 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 your generous community sponsors, Troy Bank & Trust, 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 Pike County students are excited to meet Libby Liberty.
- These smiling faces are posing with the Statue of Liberty replica.
- These students are getting ready to meet Libby Liberty™.
- Gage and Isaiah lead their classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance
- Her official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
- Hannah and Eccense help Libby show her true measurements when on her pedestal.
- Libby’s mouth is the size of an electric guitar!
- Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
- Libby shows off her selfie stick for a picture with the students.
- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
- Her chains are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- She turned Patina through process called Oxidation
- We all share in the same bright futures that are made possible by the things Libby stands for.
- “We may have all come in different ships, but we are in the same boat now!”, MLK, Jr.
- 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”.
- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom.
- .The students wave their flags in song
- Libby leads the crowd in the anthem theme song “YOU in the USA”.
- Becky Saunders with the Liberty Learning Foundation shares our appreciation for our family at Troy Bank and Trust
- Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
- The Next Great Americans of Pike County
- Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
- The Next Great Americans of Pike County
- Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
- Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
- The Next Great Americans of Pike County
- Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
- This sweet super citizen sneaks a hug from Libby Liberty™
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Pike County students.
- Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
- All smiles as they pose with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Pike County
- Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
- All smiles as they pose with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Pike County
- Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
- All smiles as they pose with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Pike County
- Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
- The Next Great Americans of Pike County
- Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
- All smiles as they pose with Libby Liberty™
- Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
- The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!