Today second graders from Helena Elementary & Vincent 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 Hands on Liberty 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 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 >
- 2nd graders of Helena Elementary School and Vincent Elementary School gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™.
- These students are super excited to meet Libby!
- Nolan and Virginia lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
- Libby’s mouth is 3 feet long, about the length of an electric guitar!
- Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader, or Harry Potter?!
- Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
- When Libby was originally built, she was a shiny copper color just like a brand-new penny!
- Libby’s torch is what lights the way to freedom.
- On October 28, 1886 they had a huge celebration to welcome Libby home to America.
- Libby shares exciting news: We are celebrating our country’s 250 Birthday!
- Libby invites the students to imagine what it would be like to be an immigrant traveling to Ellis Island.
- “I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” –Emma Lazarus
- Libby shows off the Liberty Learning Foundation Torch Pin that looks just like her.
- She symbolizes the American Dream!
- You ARE The Next Great Americans!
- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- We can’t thank these amazing teachers and donors enough for their role in shaping the Next Great Americans!
- Libby loves getting a photo with Representative Kenneth Paschal, Sheriff John Samaniego, and Peg Hill from the Shelby County Board of Education.
- We had a blast today with these Shelby County 2nd grade students!
- These students are excited to meet Libby Liberty!
- Libby loved getting to visit the students of Shelby County!
- Libby had a blast today with these students from Shelby County 2nd graders!!
- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
- These great citizens are about to start their Hands on Liberty journey.
- These students are excited to meet Libby Liberty!
- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
- We had a blast today with these Shelby County 2nd grade students!
- These students are excited to meet Libby Liberty!
- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
- Libby had a blast today with these students from Shelby County 2nd graders!!
- These great citizens are about to start their Hands on Liberty journey.
- Libby loved getting to visit the students of Shelby County!



































