Today 300 second graders from Pelham Ridge and Pelham Oaks 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 Shelby 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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These students are excited to meet Libby Liberty!
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Super Citizens!
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These Pelham City Students are ready for their kickoff!
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Asher & Grason lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Libby’s official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
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Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
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Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader, or Harry Potter?!
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Lennox & Allie help Libby show off her real measurements.
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The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!
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Libby reveals her 879 inch shoe size.
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The spikes on her crown are about the size of a Great White Shark.
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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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They put her together piece by piece, like the most gigantic Lego structure EVER!
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Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
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Libby invites the students to imagine what it would be like to be an immigrant traveling to Ellis Island.
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“I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” –Emma Lazarus
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She symbolizes the American Dream!
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Special thanks to the Shelby County Community Alliance for making our kickoff possible!
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Super Citizens help Libby lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
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The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!
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We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
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Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!
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Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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These Pelham City students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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These Pelham City students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!!
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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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Libby greets the wonderful students of Pelham City!
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The Next Great Americans of Pelham City!
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These students are excited to meet Libby Liberty!
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Libby loved getting to visit the students of Pelham City!
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These Pelham City students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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These Pelham City students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!!
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These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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Thank you to our amazing sponsors!!
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Thankful to Leon Johnson, Norma Rogers, Sharon Gaydon and Cherie Hughie from the Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge, Representative Kenneth Paschal, and Senator April Weaver for their part in making the Next Great Americans!
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We are so thankful for Senator April Weaver and Representative Kenneth Paschal’s presence at our event today!