CANNONSBURG —
An American icon visited Cannonsburg Elementary School Friday, spreading a message of patriotism and citizenship.
The Statue of Liberty, proper name “Liberty Enlightening the World,” affectionately known as Lady Liberty, spoke to the huddled masses in the school gym about her history and their role in keeping America great.
Under her green patina and seven-pronged crown, Lady Liberty is Rachael Rainwater, and she is a member of a traveling team from the Liberty Learning Foundation, an Alabama organization dedicated to teaching citizenship values to America's schoolchildren.
“We're teaching kids about our country's heritage and how to be outstanding citizens, Rainwater said.
Clad in a classically draped gown and clutching the same torch and scroll she holds on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, Rainwater told the story of the statue's donation by citizens of France, its construction, trans-Atlantic shipping and assembly in the harbor.
With the help of fifth-graders Drew Bartram and Ella Stephens, portraying George and Martha Washington, she used a tape measure to put her true dimensions into perspective: eight-foot fingers and a three-foot mouth.
“My mission is to make sure you are excited about learning our country's history,” she said. “You are the next great Americans.”
She also talked about an educational program the foundation developed to promote citizenship education in schools.
“I was happy she picked our school,” said Drew. “It was very patriotic.”
“She stands for the U.S.A.,” said third-grader Karlie Abb. “You’ve got to be the best citizen you can be by learning about liberty.”
Cannonsburg will be using the foundation’s curriculum, said gifted and talented teacher Deidra Patton. The curriculum, called the Super Citizen Program, includes units on important Americans, immigration, financial literacy, American symbols and monuments, the military and veterans.
It will be particularly useful in the fifth grade, where citizenship study is required, Patton said. It serves another purpose, too: “Kids need to know that freedom comes with a price,” she said. “They need to learn to be citizens.”
The foundation seeks to partner with local people and businesses to place the curriculum in schools. Curriculum materials include a teaching guide and DVD, a replica of the statue, kid-sized liberty crowns, flags and reading materials.
The foundation has more information on its website, www.libertylearning.org.
MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2652.
Local News
Related Photos
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Lady Liberty leads her journey through history and heritage while presenting the Super Citizen Program to Cannonsburg Elementary School Friday. Kevin Goldy / The Independent
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Ella Stephens and Drew Bartram, Cannonsburg Elementary School fifth grade students help Lady Liberty with a tape measure as she describes the size of various parts of her statue. Kevin Goldy / The Independent
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