Today second graders from Phenix City Schools cheered and counted down to the grand entrance of Libby Liberty™. Wearing green paper crowns and waving tiny American flags, they showed their enthusiasm for the Super Citizen Program they’ll begin after today’s theatrical performance.
Liberty Learning Foundation (with generous sponsorship by The Russell County Community Alliance) is kicking off the program in a big way. Not only are students watching as the vivacious Statue of Liberty character brings history to life, they are also being introduced to the man who will give them a “hand” with lessons back in their classrooms. As Libby winds down, she hands the screen over to Mr. Palmer, a brash and brilliant hand-character who leads students in lessons in civics, character, financial literacy and our Great American Story.
After class photos with Libby, students and teachers return to classrooms energized to learn crucial, all-American lessons. They’ll also begin the process of nominating and honoring “Helping Hands Heroes” who they will honor at their graduation celebration when the program is complete for this year.
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 >
- Phenix City Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™
- Phenix City Schools students ready for their kickoff!
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- Super Citizens!
- Waving their flags with excitement as they arrive at their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- These students are excited to arrive at the Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- 2nd grade Students of Phenix City Schools arrive to their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- Phenix City Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- Super Citizens!
- Waving their flags with excitement as they arrive at their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- 2nd grade Students of Phenix City Schools arrive to their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Phenix City Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™
- Excited to meet Libby!
- Waving their flags with excitement as they arrive at their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- These students are excited to arrive at the Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- 2nd grade Students of Phenix City Schools arrive to their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Ka’mariya, Ivonna and Adley lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegaince.
- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to greet the students!
- Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
- Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader, or Harry Potter?!
- Her finger is 8 feet long or about the size of an entire car!
- From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
- The seven rays, or spikes, represent the seven seas, and the seven continents of the world!
- When Libby was originally built, she was a shiny copper color just like a brand-new penny!
- Do you know what’s written on Libby’s tablet? Here’s a hint: It’s the date of American Independence!
- She was built all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in Paris, France!
- Libby exclaims that on October 28, 1886, America had a huge celebration to welcome her home!
- On October 28, 1886 they had a huge celebration to welcome Libby home to America.
- We all have different American stories.
- Libby shares all about the exciting Super Citizen Program the students are about to begin!
- Libby leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- U.S.A.!
- We are so thankful to Veatrice Thomas, Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning; Veta Lewis, Director of Student Services; and Jennifer Lowman of Phenix City Economic Development for their role in shaping the Next Great Americans!
- Libby Liberty™ had a blast visiting with these incredible students from Phenix City Schools!
- The Next Great Americans of Phenix City Schools!
- Libby shares high fives with these students after the show!
- Libby Liberty™ loved meeting these amazing students from Phenix City Schools!
- Big smiles from these Phenix City Schools students after an exciting kickoff!
- A picture-perfect moment with Libby Liberty™ and these amazing Phenix City Schools students!
- Libby Liberty™ gets a picture with these incredible students after the show!
- Libby shares smiles and plenty of fun with these amazing Phenix City Schools students!
- Libby Liberty™ loved meeting these amazing students from Phenix City Schools!
- Libby Liberty™ had a blast visiting with these incredible students from Phenix City Schools!





















































