Today second graders from Russell County 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 Russell 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 >
- Russell County Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™
- Isabella and Harmony 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!
- 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!
- Libby’s torch is what lights the way to freedom.
- 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 invites the students to imagine what it would be like to be an immigrant traveling to Ellis Island.
- 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.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
- “I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” –Emma Lazarus
- Libby shows off the Liberty Learning Foundation Torch Pin that looks just like her.
- She symbolizes the American Dream!
- 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!
- 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!”
- U.S.A.!
- Libby loves seeing students excited to sing along to her tour anthem!
- Libby loves getting the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- We love seeing the students excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Singing along to our tour anthem!
- Libby loves getting the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
- U.S.A.!
- Thank you to Superintendent Dr. Brenda Coley; Reeivice Girtman, Secondary Curriculum and Liberty Learning Foundation Board Member; Marceda G. Lewis, Curriculum Coordinator; Lisa Rushing, Principal of Mount Olive Primary; Samantha Shoup, Principal of Oliver Elementary; and Jennifer Lowman of Phenix City Economic Development for their role in shaping the Next Great Americans!
- The Next Great Americans of Russell County!
- Libby had a blast today with these students from Russell County Schools!










































