Today more than 750 elementary students from Selma City Schools 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 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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The students will honor their community heroes with a Torch Pin and Authentic Statue of Liberty Replica.
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Students of Selma gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™.
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Camille, Trelvarious, Triston, Jermaya, Sarriyah, Jakayla, and Terrica lead their classmates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Mr. Capers prepared the students to meet Libby Liberty™.
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Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name “Liberty Enlightening the World”
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Jashari and Javiell helped Libby show off her true measurements.
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She is the same length as a football field!
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Each one of her spikes is the same length as a Great White Shark!
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Libby isn’t green like Shrek, but rather patina!
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Libby’s broken chains symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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Libby encourages the students to imagine seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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The students imagine they’ve been on a long journey.
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Imagining seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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Mr. Palmer introduces the Helping Hands Program.
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Jana Jordan encourages the students to take pride in themselves and in their communities.
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Student helpers lead their classmates in the Next Great Americans tour anthem!
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Singing “You in the U.S.A.!”
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Look from behind the stage!
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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This Super Citizen gets a special hug with Libby
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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These two Super Citizens smile proudly with Libby!
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Libby Liberty™ and this group of Super Citizens are all smiles after the show!
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Group hug with Libby!
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Libby Liberty™ smiles proudly with these Selma Students!
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Group hug with Libby!
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Libby poses with this Super Citizen after the show!
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Look Libby is sneaking up behind these Super Citizens!
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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Libby Liberty™ smiles proudly with these Selma Students!
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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Libby and these Super Citizens have a quick chat after the show!
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Libby Liberty™ and this group of Super Citizens are all smiles after the show!
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Group hug with Libby!
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Libby Liberty™ and this group of Super Citizens are all smiles after the show!
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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This Super Citizen and Libby share a special moment!
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Libby poses for a post-kickoff picture with these great citizens.
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These two Super Citizens smile proudly with Libby!
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The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!