New Year, New Goals

New Year's Eve: First there's a 10-second countdown to midnight, then comes a rally of cheering, and then finally thoughts of new beginnings erupt at 12:01 a.m.

New Year's resolutions are common among the students and staff of Jamesville-Dewitt High School. "I think everyone wants to believe in something," said James Tuck, head coach for the Jamesville-DeWitt High School Girls' Volleyball team. "New year, new way of thinking."

Some, while setting their personal goals for the New Year, have a serious outlook on the tasks and personal goals they wish to accomplish, while others don't believe in the resolution aspect of New Years.

Resource teacher Jamie Horton doesn't see New Year's as a time for change as much as others. "Students should want to make changes all of the time," she says, rather than relying only on New Year's to set goals. Although she doesn't have a specific resolution, she always wishes people good health and hopes her family and friends will be well in the upcoming year.

Freshman Holly Deng also believes that New Year's shouldn't be the only time students make changes. "Students could change anything about themselves if they honestly tried hard enough," said Deng. However, she does admit that for some, "New Years is a good excuse to try to make your life better. I try to take New Year's resolutions seriously, but it usually turns out as a joke. I haven't stuck with them in the past."

Assistant Principal Will Dowdell says that students should set a time limit to follow through on a resolution. Whether it's for a week, two months, or forever, it's important to follow the set timeline. Mr. Dowdell also suggests keeping them simple. His resolution: "To diet." He wants to keep this permanently in place.

Many students at J-DHS don't take New Year's resolutions seriously:

Sophomore Ben Carbone said jokingly that he hopes to "never wear clothes again."

"I want to get abs like Mario Lopez. I have no idea how to do that, but it will happen one of these days if I keep eating my Wheaties," said David Rapp-Kirshner, junior.

According to freshman Josh Lee, freshman Thomas Hsiao hopes to smile more in the upcoming New Year.

"I want to follow my New Year's resolutions, that's my resolution," said sophomore Amanda Pauls, laughing. "I also want to get good grades and have less blonde moments," she said
For example, Carolyn Mooney, sophomore, doesn't have a New Year's resolution. "I really couldn't care less," said Mooney.

"Years ago I used to make them but now"¦ now I'm just so wonderful," said art teacher Carl Wenzel, laughing.

"I always make them but I never keep them. I think my New Year's resolution is to make no more resolutions," said English teacher Connie Myers-Kelly

"I've never followed my New Year's resolutions for more than a day. Well, I want to eat more than 10 jalapenos at a time," said freshman Tom Hays.

Some resolutions can even be inspiring:

"I want to improve my time in track in hurdles by pushing myself as hard as I can in practice," said Nate Sturgeon, freshman.

" I want to work on my time management skills," said Sarah Lesser, senior.

"No more drinking as much soda," said junior Peter Giaquinto.

Junior Chris Yu wants to stop being so distracted by Facebook.

Though Deng doesn't believe it is very original, Claudia Lee doesn't "want to get crappy grades."

And though Taylor Williams believes fellow senior Joanna Wu already practices too much, Wu has resolved to practice more.

"To lose 25 pounds by January 2 – I'd like that to happen," said band director, Ronald Nuzzo.

"I've never had a New Year's resolution before but I would also like to spend more time with God," said Giovanni Malloy, freshman.

"Ah, are you serious?" said senior Katie Weber, who overheard, " I love this kid."

Principal Paul Gasparini hopes to read more books, spend more time with his kids, and learn how to fish. For the school's resolution, Mr. Gasparini hopes to, "continue to improve the relationship between middle school and high school teachers."

So what are your New Year's Resolutions?