Summer brings the heat to D.C.
Emotion over commotion–Soccer fans at AU react to FIFA World Cup
WASHINGTON — Passionate soccer fans at American University were devastated by the United States’ loss to Belgium on Tuesday in the Round of 16 at the World Cup in Brazil while others who are new to the sport felt indifferent.
Matt Divincenzo, 22, a recent American University graduate, is a passionate soccer fan and was heart-broken by the loss, but he’s excited for the future for American soccer.
“It was a heart-breaker,” Divincenzo said. “After that second goal in extra-time, I wanted to turn off the TV. It was one of the hardest games to watch.”
But fans like William Xu, who watch soccer only with their friends because they feel it’s social, didn’t feel as emotional about the loss. Xu, 26, mainly watches soccer when the World Cup or the Olympics roll around.
“I’ll watch it with my friends at a bar, but not by myself,” Xu said. “Like, I’m not a football player, but if all of my friends want to play football, I’ll play football.”
Elyssa Pachico, 28, is very proud to be supporting Colombia in the World Cup this year because of their new-found success. Colombia made it through to the Round of 16 by beating Greece, Japan and the Ivory Coast, according to the FIFA World Cup website. Colombia, who plays Brazil in the Round of 8 on Friday, also scored the second most goals in the entire World Cup with 11 through Thursday.
The most popular sport in the world has not yet hit the United States as a national phenomenon, although there are many soccer fans within the United States. Every four years the hype surrounding the World Cup is difficult to escape.
Pachico is similar to Xu because they are not normally soccer fans, and they both feel that the commotion surrounding the international games is unavoidable.
“Even if I wasn’t going to watch it, I can’t escape it,” Pachico said. “I was at the airport yesterday and I saw a ton of televisions playing the games. It’s everywhere.”
Independence Day celebrations with international perspectives
WASHINGTON– People on American University’s campus are planning to exercise their patriotism with traditional and nontraditional activities for the Fourth of July this year.
Imani Muleyyar, a media production assistant at AU, is taking a slightly different approach this holiday. Muleyyar plans to travel to Baltimore, Maryland to visit family and box and kick box with friends. He explained that any day he’s off work, he and his friends use to train for boxing.
Though he enjoys athletics, Muleyyar expressed the importance of family time on this day.
“It’s good to be around happy people,” Muleyyar said.
The owner of an on-campus hair salon and spa, TIGI Boutique, Taher Kahel, is trying something new on America’s birthday this year.
Kahel is participating in traditional firework watching of the National Mall festivities, but is watching them from a rooftop with friends. Though he is Tunisian born, he has been in America for half his life, and happily celebrates Independence Day every year by hanging out with friends and family and going to festive parties. Kahel joyfully punched his fist when answering if Tunisia’s Independence Day is as exciting as America’s.
“Of course it’s, exciting. We beat the French!” replied Kahel.
Kahel thoroughly enjoys the Fourth of July here with the same excitement.
“I think it’s a happy holiday, Independence Day,” said Kahel.
Amrong Chey, a Cambodian-American, said she will be participating in the typical activities for Independence Day this year by going to cook outs and watching the fireworks. She also spoke about the similar day held in Cambodia for the country.
“Everyone gets together with family and friends to celebrate the country,” Chey said
It is clear to see that no matter where people are from, America or outside of America, they still excitedly participate in Independence Day each year.
American University summer programs offer experiences, meeting new people
WASHINGTON- Teachers and students from all over the world are congregating at American University to participate in various programs with the hopes of gaining experience, learning and meeting new people.
Monica Emma, 18, from Bellmawr, New Jersey, quickly grabbed a Frappuccino before she left to lead an orientation for new freshmen.
The incoming sophomore is staying on campus for the summer and whether helping with transition issues or answering questions, Emma takes pride in improving the college experience for the new students.
“I like to tell people that while AU may not have been your first choice or even if you are really excited to go here, AU is the place for you,” Emma said.
. Nineteen-year-old Stephan Piencian, an incoming junior from Linden, New Jersey, is another American University student residing on campus this summer.
With a smile spread across his face, Piencian is working part-time at the information desk at the Mary Graydon Center answering people’s questions and giving directions.
“I figured it would be a good experience to be in Washington, D.C. during the summer,” Piencian said.
There is still more summer to come, but so far Piencian is enjoying his time.
“I think it’s been a very educational experience for my life,” Piencian said
. Programs such as the National Student Leadership Conference and Discover the World of Communication are hosting various camps for teenagers at American University this summer.
At American University, as well as many other college campuses, NSLC offers programs in the fields of education, sciences, national security, diplomacy, communication and politics, all while teaching young adults about effective leadership, according to its website.
Jessie Elop, 15, showed pure excitement when talking about the forensics science program that she started on June 27 and ends July 6.
Students in this program listen to lectures concerning fields of forensic science and get the opportunity to work on realistic cases.
One of the cases involved a woman who appeared to be hung with most common signs pointed to suicide; however after examining the crime scene, Elop said the suicide may have been a scam.
Each student has a different job and they work as a team to solve the case. Elop works as a sketch artist for the crime scene so she has turned the scene into a graph and plotted it out to scale so it can be revisited visually.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Elop said. “Besides forensics we have learned a lot about leadership and although some things have seemed a little slow, they all have a good purpose in the end. I’ve really enjoyed it overall.”
In fact, the program has caused her to rethink her future career.
“Initially, I thought I could be a forensic scientist working on crime scenes and since originally thinking that, I’ve learned a lot about being a medical examiner,” Elop said. “I think that might be a very cool path.”
Nona Bankova, 17, has traveled from Bulgaria to take part in the NSLC program. She is taking a broadcast journalism class, in which she says she is doing many new things.
“I think it’s very interesting and I can learn many things I have never experienced before,” Bankova said. “With the technology, with the camera, with the way you speak in front of the camera, and I like it a lot.”
She has also enjoyed group activities such as casino night and guest speakers.
“The way they speak to us, the way they influence us, the way they inspire us,” Bankova said. “This is one of the greatest things.”
Fifteen-year-old Ricky Sayer of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, is also hard at work in broadcast journalism and professional newswriting, but is a part of the DWC program, which solely focuses on communication programs.
Similarly to NSLC, DWC goes on many field trips to places such as baseball games, museums, and even a cruise boat.
“It’s really fun,” Sayer said. “You learn a lot that I couldn’t learn back at school, so it’s really a great experience.”
Fireworks, hot dogs, celebration…and traffic.
WASHINGTON– With the anticipation building for the upcoming Fourth of July festivities, people in Washington D.C. are also preparing for the incoming traffic from tourists and visitors.
Road closures will be in place starting as early as Thursday night around the Washington monuments where an estimated 700,000 are expected to show up to watch the grand spectacle of fireworks that take place yearly in our Nation’s capitol.
Many will visit the National Mall, where fireworks will start at 9:10 p.m. on July 4, according to the National Park Service website.
The National Mall, being one of the most popular spots in Washington, D.C. for viewing the fireworks is expected to be packed and crowded and many at American University will avoid Fourth of July traffic by skipping firework viewings near Capitol Hill and downtown.
Mary Spanarkel, a New Jersey native, who was used to celebrating the Fourth of July on the beach back home, will steer clearly of the “super touristy” spots like the National Mall by hanging out with friends.
Eva Gates, who works as a receptionist at American University and moved from Long Island, will avoid the heavy traffic by going home for the holiday where she will enjoy barbecue with her family and friends on the beach.
Festus Allaotey, who was born and raised in Ghana, has been an employee at American University for two years, will not go out and plans to “stay in and watch on TV instead.”
Despite traffic, Washington, D.C. remains a favorite in places to experience America’s Independence Day for students attending summer programs at American University.
Celine Castronuovo,16, from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, is participating in NSLC and is spending her first Fourth of July in the nation’s capitol.
“I am looking forward to being able to look out my window and watch the fireworks and I’ve been watching them on TV forever and now I have the chance to actually see them in person, ” Castronuovo said.
American University employees celebrate the holiday with friends
American University faculty and staff will be celebrating the Fourth of July this Friday with their friends.
University librarian Olivia Ivey plans to attend a cookout with her friends, and later, a fireworks-viewing party. Usually, her family visits D.C. to celebrate, but this year they will be postponing their visit until Ivey’s wedding later in the year.
Rebekah Johnson, a recent American University graduate and new staff member, hopes to do the same.
First thing in the morning on Friday will be brunch with a group of her friends, complete with special Fourth of July pancakes. In the evening, she’ll be going to a friend’s house near the National Mall to see the fireworks.
Back home in Dallas, Johnson usually spends time with her church group to celebrate the holiday, viewing fireworks and attending soccer games. This year, she’ll be among the revelers at one of the nation’s largest fireworks displays, according to the National Park Service website.
Leanza Bethel, a receptionist at the Leonard Hall dormitory, is planning to attend the Capitol Fourth program on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, a memorable event combining musical performances with a fireworks display. Fireworks, she said, are her favorite part of the Fourth of July.
Before Bethel came to Washington D.C., she celebrated the holiday by attending the family gathering and barbecue that her parents held.
This year is Charlotte Vogler’s first living in Washington, D.C., and she’s looking forward to celebrating her favorite holiday in the capital. As an AU receptionist, she will be working part of the day, but afterwards plans to see the fireworks at the U.S. Capitol with her friends.
When she spends the Fourth of July holiday with her family, sometimes the celebrations get a little more hands on.
“Usually we go to the mountains and set off our own fireworks,” Vogler said.
D.C. residents plan to avoid Fourth of July crowds
WASHINGTON–As the Fourth of July approaches, individuals living on American University’s campus are planning to avoid the notoriously crowded festivities happening on the National Mall.
AU students, staff, and youth attending one of the various summer programs on campus cited traffic caused by a crowd of more than 700,000 as a major reason to skip the celebrations.
Ashtyn Quinones, 14, is participating in the National Student Leadership Conference, a program at AU this summer, and said that they won’t be taking part in any large event.
“We’re going to be here,” Quinones said. “They want to avoid traffic.”
Kristen Korfitzen, a New York native and employee of the University Library, won’t be staying in D.C. for the Fourth, but still hopes to see the fireworks over the National Mall.
“I’ll probably meet some friends on the Virginia side of the river to watch them,” Korfitzen said.
Although she plans to participate in Independence Day festivities, Korfitzen’s favorite aspect of the holiday doesn’t include celebrating.
“I usually get the day off from work, so I get to sleep late,” Korfitzen said.
Lee France, an incoming AU junior, isn’t interested in attending one of the traditional celebrations around the city either. Instead, he’ll go to a party.
Although many, including France, are avoiding big events this Fourth of July, their favorite memories of the holiday often involve large-scale celebrations from years past.
“The cliché answer is fireworks, my neighborhood goes crazy,” France said, “There was a time fireworks flew into someone’s window, but no one was really that mad.”
Quinones remembers seeing fireworks in San Francisco a couple of years ago, capturing the appeal of celebrating even considering the holiday crowds.
“We were in the most awful place to view,” Quinones said. “But it was still fun because I was with family and friends.”
For Washington D.C. Fourth of July “everyone’s enjoying themselves”
WASHINGTON—This July Fourth many people at American University seem to have three plans in common: fireworks, family and food.
Carli Million, a 17-year-old Californian, and Naomi Lilly, 16, from Maryland, are spending the holiday away from their family. The girls plan to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Georgetown with the National Student Leadership Conference, a high school program.
Although it’s Million’s first July Fourth away from home, she said she always looks forward to “having a good day out in the sun—watching fireworks of course.”
Lilly said she loves to catch up with her friends and celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks show while Naomi expressed that gathering on July Fourth, “promotes the most spirit among Americans.”
Nick Wuest, 17, is also in the American spirit approaching Friday’s holiday and said the United States’ declaration of independence from British monarchy is a source of pride.
Sergio Vazquez, 31, from Guadalajara, Mexico, said what he enjoys the most about July Fourth is its history and hearing people on the radio discuss the country’s roots.
Meanwhile, Leanza Bethel, 21, from Texas, will attend a PBS showing about the history of Independence Day with her friends. Although she’s excited to be in Washington, D.C., she’ll miss Texas’ best holiday asset.
“The barbeque is the best because Texas is the best,” Bethel said. She continued, the food display is “the works” and the traditions are “everything Texans do.”
Annika Berystrom, 21, from Colorado, and Alex Edelson, 22, from Georgia, both appreciate relaxing and enjoying their time with friends and family.
Edelson described his overall July Fourth experience as: “Fun. Laid back. Exciting.”
Like Bethel, her fellow holiday-goers could not contain their excitement as their faces lit up with wide smiles when describing their July Fourth plans and memories.
Lilly explained that family, friends, hotdogs and hamburgers go together perfectly on July Fourth.
“Everyone gets involved, and I feel like that’s what’s so great about the holiday,” said Lilly. “Everyone’s there to have a good time and to celebrate. Everyone’s laughing. Everyone’s enjoying themselves.”
Celebrating America’s birthday in the nation’s capital
WASHINGTON— Students and locals interviewed on American University’s campus Wednesday said they will be celebrating the nation’s 238th birthday this coming Fourth of July with fireworks and barbecues.
D.C. local and American University student, Emily Whitworth, 19, usually has a traditional barbecue with her family, but this year decided to try something different.
Whitworth is going to a rooftop party with friends, and is excited to watch the National Mall firework celebration from the party, she said.
AU student Victoria Prybyl, 20, from Ithaca, New York, has never been in D.C for the Fourth of July, and is excited about celebrating in the nation’s capitol for the first time, she said.
“I am going to the National Mall with the Discover the World of Communication students,” Prybyl said.”[We are going] near the Washington Monument to watch the fireworks.”
American University sophomore Barbara Martinez, 19, plans on spending her Fourth of July by going to a party with her friend from back home in Queens, a borough of New York City.
Martinez, grew up in Queens and remembers previous Fourth of July celebrations spent on top of her apartment building watching the Manhattan Firework celebration, she said. Martinez also bakes with her mom as another part of her Fourth of July traditions.
“She had like this Fourth of July pie specialty,” Martinez recalled. “She made [it] with strawberries and blueberries to look like a flag.”
Some D.C residents are still unsure of their plans however.
“I have nothing concrete yet,” Steve Cross, an American University alum, said.
Cross will spend his Fourth of July either in his hometown of Baltimore or in D.C, but either way, Cross will still cook Baltimore steamed crabs, his traditional Fourth of July barbecue food, Cross said.
In past years, Cross has also traveled between D.C and Baltimore to see firework celebrations. In a “good year” Cross manages to see up to 10 different fireworks shows in D.C or Baltimore, according to Cross.
Fireworks are not for everyone though, according to AU maintenance worker, Ceasar Caicedo, 46. Caicedo does not plan on attending any firework shows or celebrations. Instead, he plans on celebrating the holiday by taking his kids out of town on a camping trip, where they will have a barbecue, Caicedo said.
Jason Lee Carter, a D.C. local, 34, also plans on spending his Fourth of July with his kids and nature, Carter said. He wants to spend his holiday “floating and fishing” along a river located in the D.C area, according to Carter.
For some D.C residents, however, it’s business as usual on the Fourth of July. AU student, Alanna Holstein, 20, will be spending her holiday working as a sales associate in Georgetown, Holstein said.
Construction worker, Gordon Schaeffer, 54, also will be working this July Fourth, but might have a cookout at the end of the day, he said.
The Fourth of July has a range of meanings for residents across the D.C area, but AU junior Alex Mazzarisi feels that friends and family are an important part of the celebrations.
“The Fourth of July means celebrating our country’s independence and a great time to get together with friends and family,” Mazzarisi said. “It’s a great bonding holiday for everyone.”
Fourth of July a time for reflection
WASHINGTON- Many American University summer students and faculty members shared their favorite Fourth of July memories as they prepared for one of the country’s most celebrated holidays.
Liam Toohey, an American University library employee, is planning on visiting a friend’s house and going to a local park to watch fireworks. Toohey’s favorite part about going to the park last year was watching the fireworks from the top of a hill.
“If you get up far enough, you can see around the surrounding areas,” Toohey said.
Toohey’s favorite memory of the Fourth of July is when he and his friends got stuck in traffic on their way to see a fireworks show.
“When I was 21, we got stuck on the Baltimore Beltway and everyone decided to get out of their cars and watch from there,” Toohey said.
John Douglass, a Washington D.C. native and AU School of Communication professor, remembers watching the National Mall fireworks from the Ellipse, a piece of land in front of the White House.
“I enjoyed hearing the reverberation of the fireworks off the Commerce Department,” Douglass said.
While many may have fond memories of the Fourth of July, some memories remind families to be careful, especially around fireworks.
“We tried to light a sparkler and it popped on me and I got burned,” said Shannon Kamara, who works at the AU Bookstore.
Erica Rush had a similar dangerous experience.
“When we were watching fireworks, my cousin decided to jump off the ledge and landed on his face,” Rush said.
Along with watching fireworks and spending time with friends and family, barbeques are also a popular way to celebrate the Fourth of July and bring back some of the best memories, Kamara said.
“We have barbeques and let the kids watch the fireworks,” Kamara said. “The food doesn’t matter, as long as it is off the grill.”
Overall, D.C residents look forward to making new memories during their Fourth of July celebrations on Friday.
“I like the idea that we get a chance to come together and enjoy the idea of America instead of the ideology,” Toohey said.