{"id":8609,"date":"2025-07-03T08:14:05","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T12:14:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/?p=8609"},"modified":"2025-07-03T08:14:05","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T12:14:05","slug":"how-trumbull-teens-make-the-fourth-of-july-their-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/?p=8609","title":{"rendered":"How Trumbull Teens Make the Fourth of July Their Own"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ria Beri \u201827
\n<\/span>EE<\/span><\/i> Editor-in-Chief<\/span><\/p>\n

From backyard barbecues and sparklers to cupcakes and fireworks, the Fourth of July is a summer tradition marked by celebration, reflection, and community. In Trumbull, students across town come together to celebrate in their own unique ways, such as playing lawn games, baking patriotic treats, or spending time with family and friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the beginning of America\u2019s fight for freedom, the holiday has taken on a personal meaning for many Trumbull teens. The Eagle\u2019s Eye<\/em> interviewed several students to learn more about how they celebrate the Fourth and what the day means to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Naima Estime \u201828, the Fourth of July is all about relaxing with loved ones. Estime said, \u201cWe don\u2019t have a strict tradition. We just go with the flow and do whatever comes our way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Estime shared that her family typically makes s\u2019mores or enjoys a barbecue at home. One of her favorite childhood memories is wearing an American flag dress to a cookout, a small moment that made the day feel special. Her favorite treat? S\u2019mores by the fire. Estime also recalled enjoying Trumbull Day fireworks but says her favorite show took place over Pinewood Lake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI like most that it brings people and families together,\u201d she added.<\/span><\/p>\n

Charlotte Nguyen \u201828 shared a similar view. For her family, the day doubles as a celebration of her parents\u2019 wedding anniversary.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Fireworks light up the sky over Trumbull during a local celebration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t really have any set traditions,\u201d Nguyen explained. \u201cIt\u2019s usually just whatever works that year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes the family stays local and eats out; other times, they visit relatives in New Jersey. Nguyen enjoys sweet treats\u2014especially cupcakes and cookies\u2014and said her family likes to explore different fireworks shows each year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe go everywhere,\u201d she said, \u201cbut the Trumbull Day display stands out. We always try to find new places to watch from.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For Nguyen, the holiday is less about tradition and more about spending time with the people she loves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGetting together with family and friends and celebrating a holiday together,\u201d she said, is what matters most.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Arshia Mamidanna \u201825, the Fourth of July has always felt more like a community celebration than a patriotic event.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy family and I usually celebrate at a friend\u2019s house,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of like a mini outdoor festival\u2014with badminton, the classic egg challenge, water balloon games, and more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

One of her favorite memories is hitting a home run in a neighborhood wiffle ball game.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was definitely the best part of my day,\u201d she recalled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mamidanna\u2019s Fourth usually ends with cake and fireworks in the backyard. Her favorite treats include watermelon with spices and marshmallow cupcakes made by a friend\u2019s mom.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s lowkey but so full of energy and joy,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, her perspective on the holiday has shifted in recent years. After taking a Constitutional Debate course and participating in the <\/span>We the People<\/span><\/i> competition, Mamidanna said she has become more reflective about the ideals behind the holiday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mamidanna reflected: \u201cYes, it\u2019s a moment in history worth remembering, but it\u2019s hard to celebrate when so many of those ideals\u2014liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness\u2014still feel out of reach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She noted concerns about reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and access to truthful education as examples of freedoms she feels are being rolled back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t always feel free in this country. Even though my parents are here legally and work hard, they don\u2019t always feel safe or free, especially under today\u2019s political climate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For Mamidanna, the day is more about finding joy and connection than waving flags.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a chance to feel joy, even in a country where right now \u2018freedom\u2019 doesn\u2019t always apply equally.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether through cookouts, cupcakes, or time spent with family, Trumbull teens are creating meaningful traditions that reflect both their personal values and shared experiences. As the sky lights up with fireworks, these small moments come together to shape what the Fourth of July means to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Feature Photo Courtesy: Greenvelope<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ria Beri \u201827 EE Editor-in-Chief From backyard barbecues and sparklers to cupcakes and fireworks, the Fourth of July is a summer tradition marked by celebration, reflection, and community. In Trumbull, students across…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":8608,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8609","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8609","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8609"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8609\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8611,"href":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8609\/revisions\/8611"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8609"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thseagleseye.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}