By Karla McArthur, Education Correspondent
With the help of the Southside High School Ambassadors, elementary students from throughout the Etowah County School System gathered at Southside High School’s auditorium on September 15th to launch the 2025 Super Citizen Program and begin their journey as super citizens. The civic education program, an annual tradition for Etowah County students in grades K-5, is sponsored by Liberty Learning Foundation and designed to provide leadership, citizenship, and character education.
Second graders participated in the “Hands on Liberty” series, led by Liberty Learning puppet Mr. Palmer, to explore the building blocks of citizenship in an interactive way.
Fifth graders used the original Super Citizen Program kit, which includes lessons, activities and the Torch Teams project, whereby students nominate and honor local heroes, bringing to life the foundation’s motto—“When you honor a hero, you are a hero.”
The students waved flags, wore Statue of Liberty crowns and counted down as Libby Liberty™ took the stage. Before her entrance, three large screens showed live video of her Next Great Americans tour pulling up to the school, then the real-life Libby stepped out from behind them.
The Lady in Green introduced the 10-week program, which combines civics, character education, financial literacy and social studies. She told students they already hold the most important title: “Citizen.”
The Liberty Foundation’s Super Citizen Program is offered free to schools, funded by community sponsors who support civic education despite limited time and budgets.
