Today, more than 700 elementary students from Madison County Schools 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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The students say the Pledge of Allegiance.
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The students stand together to pledge allegiance to the American flag.
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Justin and Peyton help Libby show off her true measurements.
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The spikes on her crowd are the length of a Great White shark.
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Alabama will celebrate it’s bicentennial next year.
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Libby invites the students to close their eyes and imagine coming to America for the first time.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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Jessica Quillin of the Liberty Learning Foundation tells the students about the important title of “Citizen” that they hold.
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The students wave their flags for freedom.
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Lacey, Alex, Alyssa, Addison, Piper, Albrey, Christopher, Ella and Maddie help lead the crowd in the tour anthem “YOU in the USA.”
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“Only you can keep the YOU in the USA.”
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The view from the top as the students sing together.
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Libby gets a picture with one of our amazing sponsors, Cheryle Buchanan of Alfa.
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The Next Great Americans of Madison County
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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The Next Great Americans of Madison County
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Libby and this sweet citizen get a post-kickoff picture.
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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The Next Great Americans of Madison County
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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Libby poses for a picture with this awesome student.
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The Next Great Americans of Madison County
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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The Next Great Americans of Madison County
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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The Next Great Americans of Madison County
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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The Next Great Americans of Madison County
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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High fives as the students leave the kickoff to go back to class
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Libby gets a hug from this sweet student.
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Libby and these two get a picture together.
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Libby and this sweet citizen get a post-kickoff picture.
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All smiles for an after kickoff picture with Libby
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The Next Great Americans of Madison County
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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This super students poses for a picture with Libby Liberty™.
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Libby gets a picture with this awesome citizen.
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The teachers pose for a selfie with Libby.
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The students feel for a heartbeat to make sure Libby is real.
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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The Next Great Americans of Madison County.
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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The Next Great Americans of Madison County.
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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The Next Great Americans of Madison County.
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The future Super Citizens of Madison County
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The official Libby Liberty™ selfie.