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.”