The Hands on Liberty Program from the Liberty Learning Foundation has swept through Baldwin County as several of the county's classrooms implemented the entertaining curriculum that teaches students lessons in "civics, financial responsibility, character and the Great American Story."

"Based on age-appropriate teaching methods," Liberty Learning's program director, Tawanna Vickers, said, "the groundbreaking program uses witty monologue, art, poetry, vocabulary, pop quizzes and 'Schoolhouse Rock'–style songs to boost engagement and retention of core concepts."

The program's website states it uses Libby Liberty, who looks like a live Statue of Liberty, and hand puppet Mr. Palmer to teach students in the Hands on Liberty Program in a way that brings "history to life."

Grade 2 students in Robertsdale, Silverhill, Magnolia, Foley, Elberta, Swift, Fairhope West and Fairhope East elementary schools participated in Liberty Program Celebrations throughout the last week of January to wrap up their 10-week course.

At the celebration, each school chose different "heroes" from their community to honor.

"By learning about and modeling the character traits of the heroes they honor, these students truly learn to turn learning into action," Vickers said. "Or, as we say, 'by honoring a hero, they become heroes themselves.'"

Vickers said the Hands on Liberty Program, along with the hero honor, has provided the students with "a new appreciation" for their community.

Libby Liberty was not able to attend the event, but she was featured in a video congratulating the students on their course completion. Students then repeated after Mr. Palmer to recite a Helping Hands pledge to become "Super Citizens" and received a certificate for program completion.

"I pledge to be a helping hand to my family, friends and fellow man," the pledge stated. "I will be honest, kind, fair and true and take care of myself and others too."

The pledge continued, mentioning other qualities that make a Super Citizen such as honoring and representing heroes and having responsibility in family and community settings.

At the end of the celebration, teachers were celebrated, and students performed a song they had been learning in their classrooms called "You in the USA."