Second-graders in Franklin County welcomed the Super Citizen Program with open arms, and 375 smiling faces greeted Libby Liberty, Aug. 15 at Belgreen.

The ceremony kicked off a 10-week program through Hands on Liberty, in which students will learn about monuments, voting, branches of government and lots of “super citizens.”

“Being a civics teacher for 20-something years, this is something that’s really special to me,” said Franklin County Superintendent Greg Hamilton. “I’m glad the kids are able to come see and to participate in the program.”

The program was hosted by none other than the Statue of Liberty herself, Libby Liberty, who educated students on what it means to be a super citizen through songs and interactive activities.

“Martin Luther King Jr. said it best when he said ‘We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now,’” Libby said as she taught the students about what it means to be an American citizen.

Students waved their American flags high and shouted as they sang the lyrics to the song “Only You Can Keep the You in the U.S.A.”

As part of the program, students are divided into groups and nominate people they believe are examples of super citizens. These super citizens will be honored at the end of the 10-week program when the students participate in a Hands on Liberty Graduation.

Franklin County will have its Hands on Liberty Graduation Oct. 30 at noon in the Belgreen auditorium.