People of UNF: What are your plans for Fourth of July?

Tierney Harvey

Ahmed Moussa, Graduate Student, Computer Science

Do you have plans for the Fourth of July?

Just go out with my friends.

Do you usually watch fireworks?

I am new here in America. I just came last spring, so I don’t know what they actually do in celebration for the Fourth of July. I have a friend so I will go out with her. She’s American, so she will know the traditions for celebrating.

This will the first Fourth of July here?

Yes.

Where are you from?

Egypt.

Are you excited?

Yes, I am excited. I was very happy to celebrate New Year’s Eve when I came. I like to celebrate holidays here.

Do you know what to expect?

No, I don’t know much about it. I just asked my professor, and she explained to me like, what is the Fourth of July. But I don’t know more about it. I will learn.

Sean Moneypenny, Senior, Business

What are your plans for the Fourth of July?

Beach, friends, go out to the bars.

Are you going to watch fireworks?

Probably watch them somewhere. The beach, the pier, usually. The pier is a good spot for it.

Do you have any special Fourth of July memories?

My girlfriend, she works down at the bridal shop there. There’s a pink building, and we would go onto the rooftop, and watch them from there with nobody else around us. It was cool.

 

Aliya Gouveia, Freshman, Nursing

What are your plans for the Fourth of July?

I’m just going to the beach with my friends and staying there until the fireworks, pretty much.

Is that what you do every year?

Pretty much. I’m new to Jacksonville, so it’s gonna be kind of interesting and different than back home. But I’m excited to try it.

Where are you from?

I’m from Fort Lauderdale.

Do you have any special Fourth of July memories?

Not really. Not good ones.

Is it an important holiday for you?

The background of it, the purpose of it, I obviously care about. But the actual events that occur, it’s not a big deal to me. I feel like we could just make a day where we appreciate our independence without fireworks. But it’s always fun to look at fireworks.

 

Jessica Novotny, Office Manager for Career Services

What are your plans for the Fourth of July?

I’m going to take it easy. I am going to hang with friends and family and loved ones, and be safe on the Fourth of July.

Do you have plans for the Fourth of July?

I will, I will probably do that from the comfort of my home or the comfort of a friend’s building downtown.

Do you have any special Fourth of July memories?

I just remember it always being very important to go with the family to watch the fireworks at night and be together at that time, just to celebrate our independence and the freedom that we have.

Is it an important holiday for you?

It’s definitely one of my top holidays. I’m fairly selfish and I love all of the holidays.

 

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