Today second graders from Catoma, Martin Luther King, Morris, Nixon, Flowers, Halcyon, Vaughn Road, and Dalraida Elementary 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 Montgomery 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 DVD-based 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 >
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Amonie & Kyree lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
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Ava and Anayah help Libby show off her real measurements (she’s MUCH bigger in New York City!)
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Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader, or Harry Potter?!
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Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
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Libby reveals her 879 inch shoe size.
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From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
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You must climb 354 steps to get to Libby’s crown!
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There are 25 windows in her crown, from which you can see the beautiful view of the New York Harbor.
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The spikes on her crown are about the size of a Great White Shark.
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Libby’s outer layer is only about as thick as 2 pennies!
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She developed a greenish patina through a process called oxidation.
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Libby famously holds 2 items in her hands: a torch and a tablet.
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Do you know what’s written on Libby’s tablet? Here’s a hint: It’s the date of American Independence!
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The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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Mr. Eiffel designed her skeleton, just like he designed the Eiffel Tower!
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She was built all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in Paris, France!
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They put her together piece by piece, like the most gigantic Lego structure EVER!
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On October 28, 1886 they had a huge celebration to welcome Libby home to America.
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We all have different American stories.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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“I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” –Emma Lazarus
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Libby and Mr. Palmer are excited to share with the students about the Hands on Liberty program!
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Libby shows off the Liberty Learning Foundation Torch Pin that looks just like her.
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Libby wants the students to remember 3 words: Citizen, Community, and Appreciation!
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Libby leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!
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Special thanks to the Montgomery County Community Alliance for making our kickoff possible!
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You ARE The Next Great Americans!
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Super Citizens help Libby lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!
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These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
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“Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
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Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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The students filled the Davis Theatre with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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Singing along to our tour anthem!
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Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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Libby loves getting pictures with real-life Super Citizens and Community Leaders!
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We are so thankful for Scott Killman from CB&S Bank and his presence at our event today!
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The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!