Today second graders from Cherokee, Colbert Heights, Hatton, Leighton, and New Bethel Elementary 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 Colbert 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 >
- These students are excited to arrive at the Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Excited to meet Libby!
- Colbert County Schools students gathered today to meet Libby Liberty™
- All smiles from Colbert County Schools students as they prepare to meet Libby Liberty™!
- 2nd grade Students of Colbert County Schools arrive to their Hands on Liberty Kickoff!
- Ready to Kick Off Their Hands on Liberty Program!
- Payton, Stephe, and Marley lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Libby Liberty™ makes her entrance to reveal her true name: “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
- Libby’s torch is what lights the way to freedom.
- When Libby was originally built, she was a shiny copper color just like a brand-new penny!
- From the ground to the top of her torch she is about the length of a football field!
- 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!
- You ARE The Next Great Americans!
- She symbolizes the American Dream!
- Libby shows off the Liberty Learning Foundation Torch Pin that looks just like her.
- “The New Colossus” is engraved on Libby’s pedestal.
- Libby shares the iconic poem “The New Colossus.”
- We all have different American stories.
- In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: we are “judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
- Libby exclaims that on October 28, 1886, America had a huge celebration to welcome her home!
- 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!
- She was built all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in Paris, France!
- Do you know what’s written on Libby’s tablet? Here’s a hint: It’s the date of American Independence!
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- Libby’s helpers do a great job showing everyone the moves to “YOU in the USA!”
- The students filled the room with their voices as they sang “YOU in the USA.”
- These students are excited to sing along to our tour anthem!
- U.S.A.!
- “Freedom! Liberty! It starts with you and me!”
- U.S.A.!
- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
- Waving their flags in song and celebration!
- Libby loves getting the students excited to sing her tour anthem!
- Libby loves getting pictures with real-life Super Citizens and Community Leaders!
- These incredible students are ready to learn, grow, and shine throughout their Hands on Liberty journey!
- Libby Liberty™ gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff!
- These Colbert County Schools students are excited for everything their Hands on Liberty journey has in store!
- Nothing but smiles from these amazing Colbert County Schools students!
- We had a blast kicking off Hands on Liberty with the students of Colbert County Schools!
- Libby Liberty™ loved meeting these incredible students from Colbert County Schools!
- Hands on Liberty is officially underway for Colbert County Schools!
- These amazing Colbert County Schools students are ready for an exciting Hands on Liberty adventure!
- Colbert County Schools students are excited to begin their Hands on Liberty journey!
- The Next Great Americans of Colbert County Schools!
- Libby had a blast visiting with these awesome Colbert County Schools students!
- The Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!
















































