4th of July...

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“It’s just a way for the community to get together and celebrate as safe as possible,” Kinder said.

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, freeing the American colonies from the British rule of King George III. The United news.ed@ocolly.com

States Congress officially labeled the Fourth of July as a federal holiday in 1870.

Since its implementation, the Fourth of July has been celebrated by friends and family all across the nation in honor of the war to gain American independence. An evening full of family and friends, fun activities and remembrance is exactly what the City of Stillwater accomplishes with the Boomer Blast and GRDA’s Firework Show and Celebration.

“I want to show that I’m proud of where I come from,” said Kanaskar, 17, whose dream is to study political science at Georgetown University. “I’m not going to hide parts of my identity just because of applications.”

Erica Rosales, who runs College Match Los Angeles, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income students gain admission to top colleges, said she’s concerned the end of affirmative action would hurt African Americans and Latinos. She also cited the negative consequences the loan ruling will have on young professionals with school debt. Four years after obtaining with a bachelor’s degree, Black borrowers have an average of $52,726 in education debt, compared to $28,006 for the typical White gradu- ate, according to a White House fact sheet.

“I worry that my students won’t have the same opportunities,” said Rosales, 46, who added that she benefited from affirmative action at Wellesley College.

Advocates for student loan forgiveness had said that it would help some 43 million borrowers stabilize finances and get ahead.

Hours after the ruling, President Joe Biden said he would seek a new legal avenue for student debt relief under the Higher Education Act and would create a 12-month “on-ramp repayment program.” It would help borrowers reduce the threat of default, which can scar credit ratings and hamper future home ownership.

Whether or not Biden’s debt-relief effort is ultimately successful, it wouldn’t do anything to solve the root issue of the rising cost of college, according to Michael Poliakoff, the chief executive officer of the American news.ed@ocolly.com

Council of Trustees and Alumni, which works with education leaders.

“I’m hoping the decision will encourage colleges to moderate prices by controlling their spending,” Poliakoff said.

The Supreme Court rulings are a setback in the fight to increase access and diversity in higher education, according to Cara McClellan, the director of the Advocacy for Racial and Civil Justice Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania and an associate professor of law.

“What we really need to be doing at this point in our country is opening the gates wider, not rolling back policies that promote access and opportunity,” she said.

The student loan decision has forced Kanaskar to consider colleges in his home state. “University of Texas is like a greater option for me now simply because of how much cheaper it would be,” he said.

—With assistance from Emily Birnbaum.