Students of Etowah County Schools Kick Off Their Super Citizen Programs with a visit from Libby Liberty™!

Today elementary students from Carlisle Elementary, Duck Springs Elementary, Ivalee Elementary, Gaston Elementary, Hokes Bluff Elementary, Highland School, & West End Elementary Schools came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2025. 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.

Become a sponsor. Power the movement.

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. Crosby welcomes everyone to the Super Citizen kickoff.

: 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.

: The seven rays, or spikes, represent the seven seas, and the seven continents of the world!

: 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!

: They put her together piece by piece, like the most gigantic Lego structure EVER!

: Libby shares Martin Luther King, Jr’s hope that Americans will be judged “not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

: We all have different American stories.

: “I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” –Emma Lazarus

: Libby shows off the Liberty Learning Foundation Authentic Liberty Replica.

: 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 leads the students in showing their appreciation for everyone who made the event possible!

: Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom!

: The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”

: “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”

: 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!”

: Libby loves having Super Citizens singing along to her tour anthem!

: We are so thankful to Dana Clark, Julia Talton, Kristy Thomas, Tisha Howell, Jay Freeman, and Dr. Crosby with the Board of Education, Representative Mack Butler, Representative Mark Gidley, and the Southside Highschool Ambassadors for their part in making the Next Great Americans!