Today second graders from Elvin Hill and Shelby 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 Super Citizen 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 >
- Mallory and Kyler lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Libby’s official name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
- Tate and Shelby help Libby show off her real measurements.
- 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.
- Libby shows off her selfie stick to get a picture with the students.
- There are 25 windows in her crown, from which you can see the beautiful view of the New York Harbor.
- The seven rays, or spikes, represent the seven seas, and the seven continents of the world!
- 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.
- Do you know what’s written on Libby’s tablet? Here’s a hint: It’s the date of American Independence!
- In the workshop, the artists worked on all the different parts of Libby!
- They put her together piece by piece, like the most gigantic Lego structure EVER!
- Libby exclaims that on October 28, 1886, America had a huge celebration to welcome her home!
- Libby shares exciting news: We are celebrating our country’s 250 Birthday!
- Auguste Bartholdi gifted Libby to the United States of America to celebrate our 100th birthday!.
- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
- Libby invites the students to imagine what it would be like to be an immigrant traveling to Ellis Island.
- We all have different American stories.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
- “I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” –Emma Lazarus
- Libby tells the students about their powerful title: CITIZEN!
- Each student is an important part of so many different communities, both big and small!
- Libby tells the students about an important word they will learn more about during their program: Appreciation!
- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!
- Students and teachers alike singing along to our tour anthem!
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- Libby loves seeing students excited to sing along to her tour anthem!
- We can’t thank these amazing teachers and donors enough for their role in shaping the Next Great Americans!
- Libby loved getting to pose with Principal Stacy Aderholt of Shelby Elementary School; Shelby County Chief Deputy Clay Hamm; Director of Curriculum Leah Anne Wood; Deputy Superintendent Lynn Carroll; Assistant Principal Brittany Brasher of Elvin Hills Elementary School; Shelby County Elementary Program Coordinator Genet Holcomb; and Board of Education Member Peg Hill.
- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
- We had a blast today with these Shelby County 2nd grade students!
- Libby loved getting to visit the students of Shelby County! 2nd grade students!
- These students are excited to meet Libby Liberty!
- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff!
- Shelby County 2nd grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™









































