Lady Liberty has stepped off her pedestal in New York harbor to carry her message of freedom and hope to the next generation.

Last fall, Alabama Power’s Southeast Division employees played a leading role in piloting the “Super Citizen” program at Eufaula Elementary School. Using the Statue of Liberty as the focal point, the program helps teach students American history and civics, along with character building, finances and career development.

The eight-week program, developed by Liberty Learning Foundation, targeted Eufaula Elementary School’s 250 fifth-graders.

The goal, said Southeast Division Area Manager Ralph Bellamy, is to help students learn to value the ideals and principles on which the United States was founded.

“When I was introduced to this program, I quickly saw it offered us an opportunity to do more than just hand out a check. It gave us a chance to make a difference in the lives of children and thereby in the communities we serve,” Bellamy said. “We are making an investment in the community that is truly bigger than our bottom line, because it has the potential to change lives.”

Arriving in a bus, Lady Liberty kicked off the program with a pep rally. Teachers, joined by six Southeast Division employees, led students using videos, lesson plans, hands-on projects and other educational tools.

“The impact on the kids was like nothing I have ever seen before,” said Eufaula Program Manager Michelle McAndrews. “They were really engaged, retained the information and looked forward to the next lesson.”

Eufaula Elementary School Principal Reeivice Girtman said Alabama Power and the Liberty Learning Foundation have made an “indelible mark” on students’ lives.

“The staff of Alabama Power has supported our school every step of the way,” said Girtman. “In addition to tremendous financial support, company workers volunteered their valuable time to come and assist teachers in implementing the program. Our students have been able to see patriotism and citizenship at its finest through local American citizens lending a hand to help others.”

When students completed the program last December, Lady Liberty returned for a victory celebration. Students promised to do their part to preserve liberty and freedom in America by taking the Super Citizen Pledge.

Each class named three people from the community they believed are true “Super Citizens.” These community leaders were presented a replica of the Statue of Liberty that contains a tiny piece of material preserved during the Statue of Liberty’s centennial restoration.

“We talk a lot about what kind of legacy we’ll leave,” said Bellamy, who was honored as a Super Citizen. “To me, I felt like I did something that’s going to last well beyond my years on Earth. I could see in the eyes of those kids they learned something they will reflect on as adults. Hopefully, the program will motivate them to go on and do great things.”

When the statue was refurbished in the 1980s, Liberty Learning founder Davis Lee purchased some of the discarded materials to educate children nationwide about their heritage and civic responsibility.

With the success of the program in Southeast Division, Alabama Power employees companywide are taking up the torch this spring. Mobile Division employees are conducting the program for 325 fifth-graders at Monroe County public schools.

The effort is a partnership with Georgia Pacific and the Monroe County Education Foundation. The Kiwanis Club is providing volunteers in the classrooms.

Eastern Division will launch the program in five Anniston schools. Additionally, Birmingham Division will target two schools in Shelby and West Jefferson counties.

“This program teaches young people that our freedom is a precious gift,” said Beth Thomas, Mobile Division External Affairs manager. “These young people need to realize that our future freedom depends on them.”

Patti Yancey, president of the Liberty Learning Foundation, said the success of the pilot program in Eufaula is due in large part to Alabama Power’s leadership in the community.

“You guys at Alabama Power have a culture that allows your employees to be involved in a program like ours,” Yancey said. “You are already so connected with communities, and people recognize that you are involved. Having a company like Alabama Power that is embedded in the community, is what opened the door for us and convinced the school to take a look at our program.”

By Carla Davis