Today second graders from Oneonta Elementary School 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 Blount 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 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 >
- Wilder & Grayson lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
- Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
- Obadiah & Sam help Libby show off her real measurements.
- Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
- From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
- Libby exclaims that on October 28, 1886, America had a huge celebration to welcome her home!
- Libby shares Martin Luther King, Jr’s hope that Americans will be judged “not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
- We all have different American stories.
- “I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” –Emma Lazarus
- Super Citizens help Libby lead everyone in our tour anthem.
- SInging loud and proud!
- U.S.A.!
- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- Thankful to Amy Jones assistant principal, Superintendent Craig Sozbee, Rodney Gray & Morgan Helum with Oneonta Discount Building, Aledia Villegas and Sterling Aldridge of Pamela Gray, District Attorney Office for their part in making the Next Great Americans!
- Libby gets a picture Rodney Gray, Morgan Helum and QT with Oneonta Discount Building
- Aleida villegas & Sterling Aldredge with District Attorney Pamela Casey’s office grab a picture with Libby after the show!
- Libby loves getting a picture with Asst. Principal Amy Jones & Principal Beth Hypes
- Libby loved getting to visit the students of Oneonta Elementary!
- These students are excited to meet Libby Liberty!
- The Next Great Americans of Oneonta Elementary!
- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
- Libby had a blast today with these Oneonta Elementary students!
- These Oneonta Elementary students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!


































