Today, more than 300 elementary students from North Sand Mountain came together to kick off the Super Citizen Program for 2017. They waved flags, wore Statue of Liberty crowns and counted down for Libby Liberty™ to take the stage. On three huge screens “live video” showed her Next Great Americans tour bus pulling up to the school, her exiting the bus 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 bus 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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The students get excited to meet Libby Liberty™.
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These students pose with the Statue of Liberty pin that they will use to honor their heroes.
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All smiles as they gear up to start their Super Citizen journey.
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Cody, Greyson, Brilyn and Landon led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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The students join together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
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The Pledge of Allegiance is recited to kick off the program.
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Assistant Principal, Chasta Breland welcomed everyone to the 2017 Super Citizen Kickoff.
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Her official name is “Liberty Enlightening the World”.
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Britton and Julian helped Libby show off her true measurements.
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When on her pedestal, her finger is 8 feet long.
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Libby shows off her selfie stick to get a picture with the students.
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Her shoe size 879!
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Libby is 305 feet which is the size of a football field.
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Her skin is a thin but strong layer of copper.
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She turned patina through a process called Oxidation.
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The table represents July, 4 1776 the date of American Independence.
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The chains around her feet are broken and symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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The students close their eyes to imagine coming to America for the first time.
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Imagine seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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“We may have come on different ships but we are in the same boat now” MLK Jr.
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We all have different American stories but all share in the same freedoms.
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Libby recites the iconic poem “The New Colossus”.
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Libby introduces her helping hand Mr. Palmer.
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Joyce Bishop talks the the students about being a citizen in a community and to show appreciation.
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Bryant Pitchford, Walter Watts and Eric Sanders represented our incredible sponsor ALFA today with great encouragements to the students.
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These students will be our Next Great Americans.
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The students join together to sing the tour anthem “YOU in the USA”.
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“Only you can keep the YOU in the USA”.
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Levi, Adalee, Claire, Zilah, Ava and Avery lead everyone in song.
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The students raise their voices together in song.
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Many thanks to Bryant Pitchford from ALFA for his incredible support.
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Libby high fives the students as they return to their classrooms.
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Hugs go out to students as the kick off ends.
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Libby poses with Assistant Principal Chasta Breland.
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Bryant Pitchford, ALFA, Principal Roden, Libby, Assistant Principal Breland
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Principal Dustin Roden and Assistant Principal, Chasta Breland get a picture with Libby Liberty™.
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The Next Great Americans of North Sand Mountain
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The future Super CItizens of North Sand Mountain
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The Next Great Americans of North Sand Mountain
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Libby smiles with this super student and her liberty bear.
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The future Super CItizens of North Sand Mountain
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The Next Great Americans of North Sand Mountain
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The future Super CItizens of North Sand Mountain
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The Next Great Americans of North Sand Mountain
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Libby gets a quick picture with this sweet citizen.
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These great teachers pose for a picture with Libby Liberty™.