Today elementary students from Blount County Schools came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2026-2027 School Year. 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” series).
Upper elementary grades learn from the original Super Citizen Program kit that features 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 >
- Avery and Bodie lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Blount County Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™
- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
- Libby is MUCH bigger when she’s on her pedestal in New York City! Piper, Ellie Jane, and Sam help Libby show off her real measurements.
- Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader, or Harry Potter?!
- Her finger is 8 feet long or about the size of an entire car!
- From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
- When Libby was originally built, she was a shiny copper color just like a brand-new penny!
- She isn’t green like Shrek, she turned 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!
- Libby exclaims that on October 28, 1886, America had a huge celebration to welcome her home!
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
- “The New Colossus” is engraved on Libby’s pedestal.
- Libby shows off the Liberty Learning Foundation Heart of Liberty.
- Libby leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!
- You ARE The Next Great Americans!
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- U.S.A.!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- U.S.A.!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- Libby loves seeing students excited to sing along to her tour anthem!
- These students are singing our tour anthem loud and proud!
- Libby loves getting pictures with real-life Super Citizens and Community Leaders!
- Libby loved posing with our friend Charity Cleveland from the Blount County Education Foundation!
- We can’t thank Charity Cleveland with the Blount County Education Foundation enough for her role in shaping the Next Great Americans!
- The Next Great Americans of Blount County Schools!
- These Blount County Schools students are excited to begin their Super Citizen journey!
- Libby Liberty™ loved getting to visit with the students of Blount County Schools!
- We had a blast today with these incredible Blount County Schools students!
- These great citizens from Blount County Schools are ready to start their Super Citizen journey!
- Nothing but smiles from these amazing Blount County Schools students!
- Libby had a blast meeting these outstanding students from Blount County Schools!
- Big smiles and an exciting Super Citizen journey ahead for these students!
- These students are ready to learn what it means to be a Super Citizen!
- A picture-perfect moment with Libby Liberty™ and these incredible students!
- The Next Great Americans of Blount County Schools!
- These Blount County Schools students are excited to begin their Super Citizen journey!
- Libby Liberty™ loved getting to visit with the students of Blount County Schools!
- Big smiles and an exciting Super Citizen journey ahead for these students!
- The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!













































