Elementary students celebrate kickoff of Liberty Learning Foundation program

Elementary students across Marengo County will be learning all about being “Super Citizens” over the coming weeks.

Since 2014, Demopolis students have participated in the 10-week education program, presented by the Liberty Learning Foundation, which allows for age-appropriate lessons in American history and citizenship.

The program was initiated locally for U.S. Jones’ fifth graders, but was expanded to included second graders at Westside Elementary two years ago. This year, the program is expanding again to include students in the Marengo County and Linden school systems.

Second graders at Westside Elementary School have fun during Wednesday’s kickoff event.

This year’s program will include lessons tied to the State of Alabama’s Bicentennial, which is officially 2019, but is being celebrated with a variety of events of a three-year period.

Jana Jordan, educational director for the foundation, said Demopolis is always supportive of the program.

“We really enjoy the relationship we have with the principals, teachers and students in Demopolis. Everyone here has embraced this program and have been very supportive,” Jordan said.

As is tradition for these kickoff events,  “Libby Liberty,” a character who brings the Statue of Liberty to life, entertained the students with facts about the statue and other patriotic facts.

The program includes “Torch Teams” that will help identify everyday residents who are “Super Citizens” in their own way.  The motto of Torch Teams is “When you honor a hero, you become a hero!” Those heroes will be identified and honored during the program’s finale to be held May 15.

The program is being brought to local schools through the financial support of the Demopolis City Council, the Marengo County Community Alliance, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5377, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 5377, International Paper, ScreenTech, AlaTrade, the 200th Alabama Bicentennial, Daniel Foundation of Alabama, Alfa Insurance, and the Alabama Department of Education.

(This article originally appeared in the Saturday, February 24 issue of the Demopolis Times.)