Today more than 750 elementary students from Morgan County 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 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 pose for a picture before the kickoff begins.
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Madyson, Gracie, Anna, Everett, Jaelin, Nathan, & Sutton lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Sparkman Principal Layne Dillard welcomes everyone to the 2017 Super Citizen kickoff.
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Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
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Payton and Hayley help Libby show off her real measurements.
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Her finger is 8 feet long which is the size of a car.
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Each spike on her crown is the size of a great white shark!
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She isn’t green like Shrek, she turned patina through a process called oxidation.
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The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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The students close their eyes to imagine they are on a long hard journey.
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Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green for the first time.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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Landen, Donjay, Matthew, Brooklynn. Jayden, Carley, Alivia, Breia, Colt help lead the crowd in song.
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“Only you can keep the YOU in the USA.”
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The students wave their flags in song.
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Libby poses proudly with Morgan County Commissioner Randy Vest.
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The Next Great Americans of Morgan County!
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These Super Citizens were all smiles with Libby!
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Libby couldn’t pass up a picture with these 3 Super Citizens!
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These smiling faces are posing with Libby after the show!
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The future Super Citizens of Morgan County
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These smiling faces are posing with Libby after the show!
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The Next Great Americans of Morgan County!
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These smiling faces are posing with Libby after the show!
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The Next Great Americans of Morgan County!
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These smiling faces are posing with Libby after the show!
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The Next Great Americans of Morgan County!
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with this Super Citizen.
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This Super Citizen and Libby smile for the camera!
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The future Super Citizens of Morgan County
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These are the smiling faces of the Morgan County!
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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The future Super Citizens of Morgan County
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The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!