Today 2nd and 3rd grade elementary students from Pike Liberal Arts came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2025. 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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- 2nd and 3rd graders of Pike Liberal Arts gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™.
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- 2nd grader, Mary Ellen and 3rd grader, Turner, help by leading the pledge.
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- Libby tells the students about their powerful title: CITIZEN!
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- With the help of Nolan and Harper, Libby shares that her mouth is 3 feet long!
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- Libby shows off her selfie stick to get a picture with the students.
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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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- Libby exclaims that on October 28, 1886, America had a huge celebration to welcome her home!
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- Libby shares Ellis Island’s great history of welcoming Immigrants to the United States.
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- 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.”
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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 is excited to see how many students already have a hero in mind!
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- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
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- Super Citizens help Libby lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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- Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!
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- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
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- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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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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- 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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- Students and teachers alike singing along to our tour anthem!
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- The official kickoff selfie!
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- These Pike Liberal Arts students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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- These Pike Liberal Arts students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!
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- Libby greets the wonderful students of Pike Liberal Arts!
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- A big thank you to our friends at Troy Trust and Bank, Bob Mills, Meredith Welch, Christy Wilson, Steven Moorelock and John Ramage, Headmaster Amy Allen, Assistant Headmaster Gene Allen, School Counselor Austin Green, and the incredible 2nd and 3rd grade teachers for their part in making the Next Great Americans!