Today elementary students from Carbon Hill Elementary, Lupton Jr. High, Oakman Middle, Sumiton Elementary, and Sumiton Middle Schools came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2024. 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” 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 >
-
-
Superintendent Dr. Dennis Willingham welcomes everyone to the Super Citizen kickoff.
-
-
Charley, Issac, Trystan, and Carson 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!
-
-
Presley, Kolton, and Emma help Libby show off her real measurements.
-
-
Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
-
-
The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!
-
-
Libby reveals her 879 inch shoe size.
-
-
The spikes on her crown are about the size of a Great White Shark.
-
-
She developed a greenish patina through a process called oxidation.
-
-
Do you know what’s written on Libby’s tablet? Here’s a hint: It’s the date of American Independence!
-
-
Mr. Eiffel designed her skeleton!
-
-
Mr. Eiffel designed her skeleton, just like he designed the Eiffel Tower!
-
-
They put her together piece by piece, like the most gigantic lego structure EVER!
-
-
On October 28, 1886 they had a huge celebration to welcome Libby home to America.
-
-
Libby invites the students to imagine what it would be like to be an immigrant traveling to Ellis Island.
-
-
Libby shares Ellis Island’s great history of welcoming Immigrants to the United States.
-
-
Libby and Mr. Palmer are excited to share with the students about the Hands on Liberty program!
-
-
Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!
-
-
We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
-
-
Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
-
-
Waving their flags in song and celebration!
-
-
U.S.A.!
-
-
Libby loves getting pictures with real-life Super Citizens and Community Leaders!
-
-
Libby loves getting pictures with real-life Super Citizens and Community Leaders!
-
-
Thankful to Representative Wadsworth and Dr. Nicole Wadsworth for their part in making the Next Great Americans!
-
-
We are so thankful for the Walker Area Community Foundation’s presence at our event today!
-
-
We were very lucky to get to hear from Representative Wadsworth at today’s event!
-
-
These Walker County students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
-
-
These Walker County students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!!
-
-
These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
-
-
Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
-
-
Libby greets the wonderful students of Walker County!
-
-
The Next Great Americans of Walker County!
-
-
These Walker County students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
-
-
These Walker County students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!!
-
-
These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
-
-
Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
-
-
Libby greets the wonderful students of Walker County!
-
-
The Next Great Americans of Walker County!
-
-
These Walker County students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
-
-
These Walker County students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!!
-
-
These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
-
-
Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
-
-
Libby greets the wonderful students of Walker County!
-
-
The Next Great Americans of Walker County!
-
-
These Walker County students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
-
-
These Walker County students are destined for greatness as they start their Super Citizen Journey!!
-
-
These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
-
-
Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
-
-
Libby greets the wonderful students of Walker County!
-
-
The Next Great Americans of Walker County!