Today second graders from Carver, Jeter, and Southview Primary 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 Lee 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 >
- Opelika City Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- These students are excited to arrive at the Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- 2nd grade Students of Opelika City Schools arrive to their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Waving their flags with excitement as they arrive at their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Opelika City Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™
- These students are excited to arrive at the Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- All smiles from Opelika City Schools students as they prepare to meet Libby Liberty™!
- Waving their flags with excitement as they arrive at their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- 2nd grade Students of Opelika City Schools arrive to their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Carson, Maci, and Ti’Yone lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
- We all have different American stories.
- Libby invites the students to imagine what it would be like to be an immigrant traveling to Ellis Island.
- Libby exclaims that on October 28, 1886, America had a huge celebration to welcome her home!
- When Libby was originally built, she was a shiny copper color just like a brand-new penny!
- From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
- Her finger is 8 feet long or about the size of an entire car!
- Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader, or Harry Potter?!
- Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
- Libby leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!
- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- Thank you to Hunter Smith, Naomi Lockhart, and Dominique Treadwell from Troy Bank & Trust for their part in making the Next Great Americans!
- The Next Great Americans of Opelika City Schools!
- Opelika City Schools 2nd graders are excited to begin their Hands on Liberty journey!
- These amazing 2nd graders are ready to discover all that Hands on Liberty has to offer!
- Hands on Liberty is officially underway for these incredible Opelika City Schools students!
- Libby Liberty™ loved meeting these awesome 2nd graders from Opelika City Schools!
- We had a blast today with these amazing Opelika City Schools students!
- These 2nd graders are all smiles as they begin their Hands on Liberty journey!
- Libby Liberty™ gets a picture with these Opelika City Schools 2nd graders after the kickoff!
- Libby had a blast visiting with these amazing students from Opelika City Schools!
- Opelika City Schools 2nd graders are ready for their Hands on Liberty adventure!
- Nothing but smiles from these incredible Opelika City Schools students!
- Libby Liberty™ loved spending time with the 2nd graders of Opelika City Schools!
- A picture-perfect moment with Libby Liberty™ and these Opelika City Schools students!
- These 2nd graders are excited for all that their Hands on Liberty journey has in store!
- Libby loved seeing all the smiling faces from Opelika City Schools!
- Opelika City Schools 2nd graders are all smiles after meeting Libby Liberty™!
- Libby Liberty™ had so much fun visiting with these Opelika City Schools students!
- Big smiles and lots of excitement as these students begin their Hands on Liberty journey!
- Libby Liberty™ shares a special moment with these amazing Opelika City Schools 2nd graders!
- The Next Great Americans of Opelika City Schools!
- Opelika City Schools 2nd graders are excited to begin their Hands on Liberty journey!


















































