Today more than 100 elementary students from Pike Liberal Arts 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 made possible by Troy Bank & Trust which, for serveral years, has invested in local students by making the program free for schools. Our sponsors 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 Pike Liberal Arts students can’t wait to kick off the Super Citizen Program.
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- Smiling faces of students excited to become Super Citizens.
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- The third grade students will honor the heroes they choose with a replica Statue of Liberty.
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- The second grade students will honor their students with a Torch Pin.
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- Asa lead his classmates in an opening prayer.
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- Asa, Cambree, Cole, and Sara lead their classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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- Libby is covered in a layer of copper!
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- Her shoe size is 879!
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- Libby’s finger is the length of a car!
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- Libby’s broken chains symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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- Ellis Island is beside Liberty Island, where Libby lives.
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- Libby directs the students to imagine they’ve been on a long journey.
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- Imagining what it would have been like to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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- These students imagine seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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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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- These Pike Liberal Arts second and third graders will be our Next Great Americans!
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- Mr. Palmer introduces the Helping Hands Program!
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- Elizabeth, Pierce, Jayden, Shelby Jo, Lilly, Gabby, Charlie, and Alley lead their classmates in song!
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- Our friends from Troy Bank and Trust join in song!
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- Only “you” can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- Pike Liberal Arts students sing the Next Great Americans Tour Anthem.
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- Thank you to our sponsors and friends from Troy Bank and Trust!
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- Today is Headmaster Baggett’s birthday!
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- Smiling faces of future Super Citizens!
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- These Pike Liberal Arts Seniors were excellent role models as Super Citizens!
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- Our Next Great Americans!
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- These students are excited to kick off the Super Citizen Program!
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- Libby was proud to pose with these future Super Citizens!
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- The official Libby Liberty™ selfie!
