Today Lakewood, Williams P-8, & Chapman 2nd and 5th grade elementary students 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 >
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Linden, Josiah, & Khloe lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
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Konnor, Sophie, & Andrew help Libby show off her real measurements.
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Libby’s nose is about the height of the average 5th grader or Harry Potter?!
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Libby’s finger is 8 feet long, the length of a car.
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Libby reveals her 879 inch shoe size.
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There are 25 windows in her crown that you can see the beautiful view of the New York Harbor.
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She isn’t green like Shrek, she turned patina through a process called oxidation.
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Her torch is what lights the way to freedom.
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The letters on her tablet represent the date of American Independence!
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Mr. Eiffel designed her skeleton, just like he designed the Eiffel Tower!
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On October 28, 1886 they had a huge celebration to welcome Libby home to America.
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“We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now.” – MLK Jr.
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Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
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Libby and Mr. Palmer are excited to share with the students about the Hands on Liberty program!
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Libby loves getting pictures with real-life Super Citizens and Community Leaders!
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Libby and LLF Team proudly pose for a picture with Representative Marilyn Lands, Representative Laura Hall, & Representative Rex Reynolds
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We are so grateful for Representative Rex Reynolds for helping to make these students Super Citizens!
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Libby loved having a picture with our Adtran friends Hannah Reese, Sarah Collins, Jenny Gage, & Jazmine WIlkes!
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You ARE The Next Great Americans!
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Super Citizens lead everyone in our tour anthem.
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Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
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Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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Libby loves seeing the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
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Singing along to our tour anthem!
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These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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Libby loves seeing the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
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Waving their flags in song and celebration!
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Singing along to our tour anthem!
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Libby loves seeing the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
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These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
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The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!