LEWISTON — On the opening day of the Tree Street’s summer program Monday, teacher Sophie Johnson addressed her art class of young students.
“Tomorrow’s a holiday,” Johnson said. “Does anyone know what holiday it is?”
“Abraham Lincoln!” one offered.
“Fireworks!” another answered.
“Fourth of July!” a third said.
Johnson, a summer intern from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, smiled approvingly and continued.
“Tomorrow we are celebrating the United States,” she said. “One of the great things about this place is it doesn’t matter what you look like, or where you’re from. Everyone is welcome.”
Their art project was to make construction paper characters of themselves and tape the artwork to the Tree Street wall.
“We’re going to focus on how we all look different, but together we are all Tree Street,” she said.
As youngsters drew, cut and glued, some talked about the Fourth of July and how they’ll celebrate.
Willie Wiggins said he’s looking forward to fireworks. “I like the noise,” he said.
Asked why the day celebrated, he said, “I don’t know.” He does know his favorite July 4 food is cupcakes.
Vanessa Violette said, “We do circles with sparklers. We’ll go to the fireworks. They go boom! I like pink, purple, yellow.”
She shrugged when asked what she will be celebrating. She quickly moved on, showing off the art project she made of her teacher assistant, Asma Omer.
Outside in the play area, Rafaella Shefield-Amaya, 7, shared her holiday lineup.
“In the morning I’m going to a parade in Freeport,” she said. “And then in the afternoon we’re going to do a lobster place. In the night we’re going to my grandma’s and grandpa’s house. After we do dinner we’ll have sparklers. I’m going to see lots of fireworks.”
She knew the reason for the holiday. July 4 is “to celebrate America!” Rafaella said.
Neveah Pratt said she’ll go to her cousin’s house in Freeport for a bonfire. She’ll swim at Old Orchard Beach then watch fireworks.
The day is to celebrate “our presidents and the United States of America,” Neveah said.
Kevin Kasongo said he’ll go swimming, to his friend’s house and play basketball and soccer, and watch fireworks.
Adolphe Kasongo, Javahn Wright and Ashlee White said the day is to watch fireworks and celebrate America. On the holiday people “should think about the fallen heroes,” White said.
Mohamed Mohamed said Tuesday, “I will relax. I’ll go to see the fireworks. I like when they go up in the sky and go (boom).”
Clearly a history buff, the holiday is to remember a time when the country was new with only 13 states, he said.
Dominic Harris said he’ll reluctantly watch fireworks while trying not to hear them.
“I don’t really like fireworks because I don’t like loud noise,” he said. “Every time they explode in the sky I jump.” A good way to watch is to cover your ears, he said.
Tree Street has “street leaders,” high school students who act as mentors and summer counselors to younger students. Two street leaders, both 15 and Lewiston High School students, shared their thoughts about July 4.
One was born in the United States, the other in Kenya.
Biersen Scott said July 4 is a time to celebrate and have fun with parties and get-togethers.
He lives near Bates College in Lewiston and has enjoyed July 4 fireworks in Lewiston, Boston and other states. The holiday is “meant to be a fun day,” he said. “People should forget their worries, enjoy themselves, watch the fireworks and have a good time.”
Ubah Aliyow, 15, came to the United States at age 2.
Because she left Africa so young, growing up in the United States she didn’t fully understand how living here was different. “I just knew it was better,” she said.
“Every time the Fourth of July comes around, for me it’s about realizing I’m in a better place,” she said. “I get to know more people. It’s nice to have fun.”
The day is a good time, Aliyow said, “to go out with your family and friends and just appreciate the world.”
Tree Street Youth summer intern Sophie Johnson talks with Willie Wiggins about his art project at the youth center in Lewiston on Monday. Wiggins, a student at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, came to Maine for the first time to work at Tree Street this summer.
“Every time the Fourth of July comes around, for me it’s about realizing I’m in a better place.”
— Ubah Aliyow, 15, of Lewiston, who came to the United States from Kenya at age 2.
Tree Street Youth Executive Director Julia Sleeper talks with Vanessa Violette at the youth center in Lewiston on Monday. Vanessa said she’ll celebrate July 4 by “making circles” with sparklers.
Kevin Kasongo said he’ll celebrate the Fourth of July by going swimming, playing basketball, soccer and watching fireworks.
Tree Street Youth street leaders Ubah Aliyow and Biersen Scott are Lewiston High School sophomores. July 4 is a good day to “appreciate the world,” she said. Scott said on the Fourth of July people should “forget their worries, enjoy themselves. Watch the fireworks and have a good time.”
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