By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
“The Next Great Americans” sat anxiously, not quite sure what to expect, Thursday morning, August 29. They wore Statue of Liberty headpieces, and most held small American flags.
The second-grade students at Rachel Patterson Elementary School were joined by second-graders from Huxford Elementary as they attended the program by Liberty Learning Foundation, a non-profit organization which facilitates civics and character programs in K-12.
The first part of the program is the Super Citizen Kickoff and begins the curriculum which includes encouragement to be a good citizen. And students are learning they are The Next Great Americans.
A large screen showed pictures of Lady Liberty – then she stepped out from behind the screen, much to the delight of the audience. Her real name is “Liberty Enlightening the World.” She talked about her history and her current home on Liberty Island, adjacent to Ellis Island.
HES student Caden Ramer and RPES Aubree Robinson assisted Lady Liberty in talking about some of her physical dimensions – her mouth is three feet wide; her shoe size is 879.
Throughout the presentation, the message was clear – “Teaching, Inspiring, Empowering The Next Great Generation.”
As students go through the curriculum, Liberty Learning Foundation will visit again to implement the next phase.
Elected officials in attendance were State Representative Alan Baker and Escambia County School Board member Sherry Digmon.