Today more than 250 elementary students from Mulkey Elementary 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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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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The students posed for a picture before the kickoff begins.
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Madison, Addi, & Elle lead their classmates 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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Natalie and Dalton help Libby show off her real measurements.
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Each one of the spikes on her crown are about the length 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 picture coming to America for the first time.
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Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green for the first time.
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The students close their eyes to imagine they are on a long hard journey.
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“We may have all come in different ships, but we are in the same boat now!”, MLK, Jr.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus”.
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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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.The students wave their flags in song
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Hunter, Sophie, Katelynn, Madison, CJ, Jadon, Aubrey, & Cheyenne help Libby lead their classmates in the tour anthem!
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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The Next Great Americans of Mulkey Elementary School.
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These Super Citizens are excited to pose Libby Liberty.
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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These Super Citizens are excited to pose Libby Liberty.
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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Libby gets a picture with these special students after the kickoff.
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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The Next Great Americans of Mulkey Elementary School.
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These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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Libby gets a picture with this sweet student after the kickoff.
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Libby smiles proudly with Principal Jami Seay after the program!
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The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!