Today elementary students came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2024. 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 pulling up to the school 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 tour 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” series). Upper elementary grades learn from the original Super Citizen Program kit that features 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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Paisley & Malaysian lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Libby’s official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
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Liberty means freedom, or to be free, and that’s what Libby is here to talk about!
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Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
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Trayvon & Harmony help Libby show off her real measurements.
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Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
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The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!
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Libby reveals her 879 inch shoe size.
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From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
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The spikes on her crown are about 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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She developed a greenish patina through a process called oxidation.
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Her torch is what lights the way to freedom.
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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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“We may have all come on 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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“I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” –Emma Lazarus
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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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She symbolizes the American Dream!
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Libby tells the students about their powerful title: CITIZEN!
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Libby leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!
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Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!
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Singing 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 and her leaders sing together for freedom!
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Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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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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These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
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We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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We can’t thank these amazing teachers enough for their role in shaping the Next Great Americans!
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These Perry County students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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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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These students are excited to meet Libby Liberty!