More than 400 crown-wearing, flag-waving fifth graders cheered, clapped and counted down to a grand entrance by Libby Liberty™ at Williams Avenue Elementary. Fresh off her Next Great Americans Tour bus, the lady in green brought history to life and introduced students to the 10-week civics, character, financial literacy and social studies program they’ll begin after her bus rolls away.
The Super Citizen experience includes today’s kickoff event, immersive learning and community service projects and will culminate with a graduation celebration that sees students honoring local, everyday heroes from stage.
These crucial lessons are being taught thanks to funding from The Dekalb County Community Alliance who understand that these lessons must be taught despite school budget cuts. The day ended with a rousing sing-a-long of the tour’s anthem, “YOU in the U.S.A.”
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 Official Libby Liberty™ Selfie!
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- Kaelyn & Ben lead their classmates 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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- Lila D. & Lila G. help Libby show off their measurements!
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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 see the beautiful view of the New York Harbor.
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- The letters on her tablet represent the date of American Independence!
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- The chains around her feet are broken to symbolize our freedom from oppression.
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- Ellis Island is right next to Liberty Island, which is where Libby lives.
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- These students imagine what it would be like to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
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- The students close their eyes to imagine they are on a long, hard journey.
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- Imagine coming to America by boat and seeing the lady in green for the first time.
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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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- We all share in the same bright future that is possible because of the ideals for which Libby stands.
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- Libby and her leaders sing together for freedom.
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- Only YOU can keep the “U” in the U.S.A.!
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- The students wave their flags in song.
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- Libby grabs a picture with Mayor Larry Chesser, Councilman Brian Baine, Principal Shaddix, & Assistant Principal Jeff Boatwright
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- These 3rd grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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- The Next Great Americans of Fort Payne!
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- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
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- These 3rd grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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- The Next Great Americans of Fort Payne!
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- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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- The Next Great Americans of Fort Payne!
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- These 3rd grade students are excited to pose with Libby Liberty™.
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- Libby gets a picture with these amazing students after the kickoff.
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- These students get a picture with Libby Liberty™ after the program.
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- These great citizens are about to start their Super Citizen journey.
