Today more than 925 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade elementary students from Madison Cross Roads, Endeavor, Harvest, and Monrovia 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 generous community sponsors of the Madison County Community Alliance 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 >
- The students smile for pictures as they wait to meet Libby Liberty™.
- These Madison County students are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
- These students pose with the Torch Pin and Statue of Liberty replica.
- All smiles as these students gear up to become Super Citizens.
- Chris Shaw, Sparkman High School Principal, welcomed everyone to the 2016 Super Citizen Kickoff.
- The students join together to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
- The Madison County students Pledge Allegiance to the flag.
- LIBBY STAGE VOLUNTEERS: Sophia and Tucker
- Libby shows off her true measurements to the students.
- Inscribed in her tablet is July 4th, 1776
- The chains around her feet are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- The students close their eyes to imagine coming to America for the first time.
- The students pictured coming to America by boat and being greeting by a huge lady in green.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus”.
- Libby introduces her helping hand, Mr. Palmer, who is a true Super Citizen.
- The Statue of Liberty replica is what the students will give to their community heroes.
- Jessica Quillin of the Liberty Learning Foundation speaks to the students about being Super Citizens.
- “Only you can keep the YOU in the USA”.
- “YOU in the USA” VOLUNTEERS: Clover, Cole, Kathryn, Esther, Adeline, Kamiya, Ayshia, Zachary, Savannah
- The students of Madison County raise their voices together in song.
- “YOU in the USA” VOLUNTEERS: Clover, Cole, Kathryn, Esther, Adeline, Kamiya, Ayshia, Zachary, Savannah
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Madison County’s future Super Citizens
- These special students posed for a post kickoff picture with Libby Liberty™
- The Next Great Americans of Madison County
- Assistant Principals of Sparkman High School: Cheryl Askew & Jonathon S. Barron