Students from six local elementary schools on Tuesday kicked off a 10-week program designed to help them become better citizens.
Through the Super Citizen program, 625 second and fifth graders from Fleeta, Pleasant Home, Red Level, Straughn and WS Harlan schools and 350 second and fifth graders from Andalusia Elementary School attended the event.
Through the program, students will learn how to be the Next Great American through lessons in civics, character, financial literacy, careers and social studies.
Students were greeted by Libby Liberty, a version of the Statute of Liberty, who talked to students about liberty and that it means freedom.
Libby Liberty explained to the students that she is patina in color, but hasn’t always been that color.
She explained to them that she was once a dull brown color, but due to oxidation, she turned to patina.
“I also have chains on my feet, but they are broken,” she said. “They symbolize freedom.”
Students also learned that Gustave Eiffel, who designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris, designed the Statue of Liberty.
“I came over in 350 pieces and in 214 crates,” she said. “I sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to NYC.”
Libby talked to students about Liberty Island and Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants came.
“We all have a different story,” she said. “Some of our ancestors were Native American. Others came here against their wills, and others are still fleeing.”
She quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who once said, “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
All are searching for opportunity, hope and liberty, she said.
Students also learned other neat facts about the statue of liberty, before learning they may already possess attributes of the next great American.

Those things include: respect and kindness; community and appreciation.