Today more than 800 elementary students from Montgomery County Public Schools came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2017. 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 who understand that these crucial lessons must be taught – despite school time and budget constraints. See who you may know in the photo gallery below!
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 >
- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
- These students are getting ready to meet Libby Liberty™.
- These smiling faces are posing with the Statue of Liberty replica.
- All smiles as they wait to start the Super Citizen Program …
- These smiling faces are posing with the Statue of Liberty replica.
- Tenadjh, Metz and Reeivice Girtman with the Liberty Learning Foundation lead the students in the Pledge of Allegiance
- Her official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
- Makayla and Kayden help Libby show her true measurements when on her pedestal.
- Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
- Libby shows off her selfie stick for a picture with the students.
- Her chains are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
- The students close their eyes to picture coming to America for the first time.
- Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green for the first time.
- “We May have all come in different ships, but we are in the same boat now” – MLK, JR.
- We all share in the same bright futures that are made possible by the things Libby stands for.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
- Libby™ and Mr. Palmer are excited to share with the students about the Hands on Liberty program!
- The students wave their flags in song
- Libby leads the crowd in our tour anthem, “YOU in the USA.”
- Libby gets a post-kickoff picture with these Super Citizens.
- Libby gets a post-kickoff picture with these Super Citizens.
- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom.
- The students filled the gym with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- The students filled the gym with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Montgomery County students.
- Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- Libby gets a post-kickoff picture with these Super Citizens.
- Libby Liberty™ poses for a picture with these Montgomery County students.
- Libby gets a post-kickoff picture with these Super Citizens.
- Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- Libby Dabs with these Super Citizens!
- Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
- Libby gets a post-kickoff picture with these Super Citizens.
- The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!