Today more than 200 elementary students from Central Elementary School came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2018. 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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Officer Moon poses for a picture with Libby before the show!
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These students imagine what it would be like to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!
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Matthew and Zikeria help Libby show her true 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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The students filled the gym with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA”.
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The students close their eyes to imagine they are on a long hard journey.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus”.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name “Liberty Enlightening the World”
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Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
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The students wave their flags while singing together.
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These are the smiling faces of Central Elementary School students.
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Faith and Wyatt stand together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Mr. Eiffel designed her skeleton!
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Our future Super Citizens of Central Elementary School.
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These students are excited to pose Libby Liberty.
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Chante Ruffin and Tina Parker with United Way sneak a pre-kickoff picture with Libby!
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The students wave their flags while singing together.
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Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Central Elementary students.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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These smiling faces are posing with the Statue of Liberty replica.
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Libby turned the color patina through process called oxidation.
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Thank You, Sponsors!
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Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom.
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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These excited students are getting ready to meet Libby Liberty™.
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Libby gets a post-kickoff picture with these Super Citizens.
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The future Super Citizens of Coosa County.
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Libby shares with these Super Citizens about Alabama’s 200th birthday celebrations!
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Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green for the first time.