On 29 July 2023, The Capital Youth Outreach Club, or CYOC, held a donation drive at Wootton High School, at 2100 Wootton Pkwy, Rockville, MD. Over a dozen people donated over four thousand items, including clothing, shoes, toys, and books.
This year is America’s 247th birthday, and the July 4th parade is nothing but extraordinary. This annual event takes place on Constitution Avenue, one of Washington DC’s most vibrant and bustling streets.
My name is Jaylynne Yang, and I’m a high school student who participated in the parade at Washington DC with the organization CYOC. First off, I had a very fun time participating in the march with other CYOC members. The staff were very caring and prepared, as they made sure we were hydrated and provided water, food, and a good spirit. It was also very organized and lively, and this experience was very fun because of the hard work that the parents put in. Many thanks to the adults and parents that kept everything organized, sprayed water on everyone to cool us down, and carried food, water, and other materials.
On July 4, 2023, CYOC (Capital Youth Outreach Club) participated in the National Independence Day Parade in the District of Columbia to recognise the birthday of our wonderful nation, the USA. In CYOC’s display, fifty people ranging from ages seven to over fifty-five volunteered to hold a larger-than-life American flag. They marched one mile at Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators both at the venue and online. The display was directed by Ping Lu and led by George Xie.
Participating in the July 4th parade was quite an experience. Upon arriving at the gathering point, we received our flags and our shirts. Let me just say, the shirts were about 4 sizes too big. Nevertheless, we began to carry the flag to Constitution Avenue where the parade was being prepared. After we waited again for an hour, We began to hear drums and the parade started. We stood there yet again for a bit to watch the other people in the parade perform. It was really cool seeing all the bands and dancers who came from all over the country, even Hawaii, to perform at the parade. When it was our turn, I felt proud when people started cheering for us. Or maybe it was the people behind us. I don’t know, but either way I was proud. After the parade finished, we all sat down for a while to cool down and get hydrated .After the parade concluded, we took a much-needed break to cool down and rehydrate. The very hot weather prompted the fire department to set up a giant water fan that sprayed mist over a large area, so that was pretty cool. After a few sips of energy drinks and a picture of everyone who participated, me and my dad left for the Metro station.
Despite the fatigue caused by the sweltering heat and lengthy walk, I believe the experience was worth it. Participating in the July 4th parade left me with lasting memories and a sense of pride in celebrating this important occasion.
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