New citizenship program launches in Pike County, seeks to inspire and educate elementary students

Published 3:00 am Thursday, January 29, 2015

Libby Liberty visited Troy Elementary School an Pike Liberal Arts School Wednesday at the kick off of the Liberty Learning Foundation's Super Citizen Program sponsored by Troy Bank & Trust Co.

Libby Liberty visited Troy Elementary School an Pike Liberal Arts School Wednesday at the kick off of the Liberty Learning Foundation’s Super Citizen Program sponsored by Troy Bank & Trust Co.

Cloaked with her trademark cape and crown, Libby Liberty took to the stage early Wednesday to teach Troy Elementary students how to be “super citizens.”

It was the first of three appearances over two days designed to introduce Liberty Learning Foundation’s Super Citizen Program to elementary students throughout Pike County.

“When we saw this program, we knew it was something we wanted to encourage,” said Jeff Kervin, president of Troy Bank and Trust, local sponsor of the program. “It supports the ideals that TB&T wants to sponsor: character building, citizenship and financial literacy.”

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The program kicked off Tuesday morning at Troy Elementary, the first of three planned introductory performances throughout the county. Pike Liberal Arts students had a visit from Libby Liberty Tuesday afternoon and Banks, Goshen and Pike County Elementary students will enjoy the performance at 9 a.m. today at the Claudia Crosby Theater on Troy University’s campus.

During the performance, Libby Liberty shared facts about American history and helped students become excited about learning how to be a super citizen.

“[The students] are going to be learning so many ways to be a super citizen,” said Becky Saunders with the Liberty Learning Foundation. “You don’t have to be an adult. [They] can start today.”

Saunders said she will visit classrooms in the participating schools to see the progress throughout the program. However, organizers believe the program will be successful in Pike County. “We don’t always go to places where the community surrounds the schools,” said Patti Yancey, foundation founder. “That’s when the program becomes all it can be.”

And for their part, educators are excited about the enhanced learning opportunity for students.

“We are very excited to focus on what it means to be a super citizen and make our country great,” said Teresa Sims, Troy Elementary School principal. “We greatly appreciate TB&T sponsoring this program.”