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What's your resolution?
[Times art: Christian Drury]
By X-Team members
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 4, 2002
It's a month into 2002, and you know the story: You kicked off the year with resolutions to be nicer people, thinner people, more physically fit people. You pledged to study harder, and even not fight with your little brother.
This year, after our world changed forever on Sept. 11, you may have promised a little more earnestly than usual to improve yourselves, to appreciate your family or strengthen your faith.
Members of our X-Team fanned out across the Tampa Bay area last month to ask their peers, their teachers and other adults about their resolutions. Here's a look at some of the responses.
Danny Gonzalez, 29, Tampa
Occupation: Firefighter.
Resolution: To lose weight.
Reason: To stay in good health.
Katie Hermann, 14, St. Petersburg
School: IB program at St. Petersburg High
Resolution: Stop being so cynical
Richard Kiley, 50, Tampa
Occupation: Attorney.
Resolution: To let the people I love know that I cherish every moment with them. And for the people who have wronged me, to forgive and promptly forget.
Reason: Life is too short for grudges. In light of the events of Sept. 11, I have come to the conclusion that every life is precious and that tomorrow is promised to no one.
Forrest Feld, 11, Seminole
School: Pinellas County Jewish Day School, Clearwater.
Resolution: Exercise more to lose weight.
Reason: To be more ready for sports teams next year.
Mandi-Lou Schantz Feld, 14, Seminole
School: IB program at St. Petersburg High.
Resolution: To calm down and not get so excited about little things.
Reason: I overstress myself, and it isn't fun to be stressing out all the time.
Clare Lennon, 10, Tampa
School: Terrace Community, Temple Terrace.
Resolution: Get Distinguished Honor Roll (All A's) each quarter.
Reason: It'll help in the future.
Courtney Kraemer, 11, Tampa
School: Dale Mabry Elementary, Tampa.
Resolution: Be a better softball player.
Reason: I want to be a professional softball player when I grow up.
Ross Zeitlin, 15, Palm Harbor.
School: IB program, Palm Harbor University High.
Resolution: To not take so long to do everything.
Reason: Because for all of my life, I have been so slow in everything and it is going to start affecting my work.
Mary Ann Miller, St. Petersburg
Occupation: Dietitian, now a stay-at-home mom.
Resolution: To pray more.
Reason: I need to set aside some time to pray, which helps make my day less stressful.
Paul Beaudet, St. Petersburg
Occupation: Retired accountant.
Resolution: To be more tolerant of my wife.
Reason: To be more tolerant of the things she does that upset me. Being retired, it is very easy to get on each other's nerves. Because of the events of Sept. 11, you realize life is too short to get distressed over the little things.
Shannon McCune, 12, St. Petersburg
School: St. Raphael's Catholic, St. Petersburg.
Resolution: To get my black belt by the end of the year.
Reason: It's a personal goal.
Susan Avato, 30, St. Pete Beach
Occupation: Sixth-grade teacher at South Side Fundamental Middle, St. Petersburg.
Resolution: To not take my job so seriously.
Reason: Because my job and my students mean so much to me, I tend to allow it to consume me.
Reflections: Sept. 11 puts what's really important and what really matters into perspective.
Brittney Givens, 12, St. Petersburg
School: South Side Fundamental Middle, St. Petersburg.
Resolution: To be a better person and be nicer to others.
Reason: I realized that people don't appreciate it when I don't treat them nicely. And it is imperative to treat others how I would like to be treated. We should treat each moment like it is our last.
Michelle Accola, 12, St. Petersburg
School: South Side Fundamental Middle, St. Petersburg.
Resolution: To try not to fight with my little sister.
Reason: It causes my mom and dad a lot of stress.
Karolyn Potter, Clearwater
Occupation: Certified veterinary technician, administrative assistant and student.
Resolution: To get financial goals accomplished so I can move forward with my school plans.
Geraldine Young, 50, St. Petersburg
Occupation: First-grade teacher, Perkins Elementary, St. Petersburg.
Resolution: To lose about 40 pounds. It's important that I do it for my health and for those who depend on me. My father lives with me, and it was something my mother, who recently passed away, always wanted for me.
Tim Topper, Seminole
Occupation: Drama teacher, Perkins Elementary, St. Petersburg.
Resolution: I want to get some more original scripts down on paper and get them to a publisher. Last year, for instance, the kids performed Fairy Tales: The True Story. And I'm working on another script calledDodge Ball.
Kim Gaesser, 10, St. Petersburg
School: Perkins Elementary, St. Petersburg.
Resolution: Get all A's on my report card, play forward in soccer and score more goals. Go to the YMCA more often, get a singing part in the school play. I think I'm going to keep them (my resolutions).
Elizabeth Fyvolent, 10, St. Petersburg
School: Perkins Elementary, St. Petersburg.
Resolution: To finish three books at least during the year and to complete my chores. I'm going to try to keep them.
Nicole Grim, 13, Largo
School: Largo Middle.
Resolution: To improve my attitude.
Reason: Because you need a better attitude to get what you want in life.
Andy Rivadeneira, 9, St. Petersburg
School: Transfiguration Catholic, St. Petersburg.
Resolution: My resolution is for the country, that they catch Osama bin Laden so he can't hurt anyone else and can't brainwash people.
Travis Hightower, 9, St. Petersburg.
School: First Baptist Christian, St. Petersburg
Resolution: I want to play basketball better. I'm shooting hoops with my brother so I am playing a little better.
Landon Blacker, 15, Palm Harbor.
School: IB program at Palm Harbor University High.
Resolution: To start working out more often. I used to go every other day, and I kind of got out of the habit. This year is going to be great, a fresh new start for me and especially the whole world.
Erica Martin, 14, Largo.
School: Seminole High.
Resolution: I want to train harder in basketball, and get straight A's. I want to succeed in basketball, and because I want to start on varsity next year or the year after, I have to work harder than anyone. I also want to get into a good college, so I can get a good job later in life. Setting goals makes me work harder, because the only difference between a dream and a goal is a dream has a time limit.
Marie Given, Palm Harbor
Occupation: Interior decorator/designer.
Resolution: To get up earlier, to leave for appointments sooner and to continue with the resolutions made last year about diet, exercise and religion. You have to keep resolutions, because everybody needs improvements.
Harry Plummer, St. Petersburg
Occupation: Principal of St. Raphael's Catholic.
Resolution: To get back into regular exercise (running) and to spend more time with God in prayer.
Reason: Because I have an administrative desk job, I don't get a lot of physical activity. I'm not in a situation where I can get out to do physical things. I feel that I am more rested and ready to face the challenges of the day when I am physically fit.
Teresa Hibbard, 39, Clearwater
Occupation: Special events coordinator at Saint Paul's School in Clearwater.
Resolutions: To talk less, and listen more. Resolutions should be made quarterly, instead of yearly, to further advance self-improvement. It would give you more opportunities to sit down and reflect on who you are as a person and what you would still like to become.
LaShawn Moore, Palm Harbor
Occupation: Guidance counselor at Largo Middle.
Resolution: Establish a closer and more in-depth relationship with God. This year will be promising because I intend on keeping this resolution
Bridget Howell, 24, Seminole
Occupation: Eighth-grade teacher at Largo Middle.
Resolution: My most important New Year's resolution is to continue to develop as an individual. Like most people, I haven't found much extra time to get in touch with my inner self after a long day at work and all the other extra duties life graciously provides each of us. So this year, I plan to set aside time just for me . . . just like Oprah says. Since 9/11, I think all of us received a wake-up call. We aren't invincible, and neither are our loved ones. Anything can happen, especially now, so we really have to appreciate every day. I refuse to live for tomorrow, as I have been, while sacrificing today.
Deborah Porter, New Port Richey
Occupation: Health teacher at Largo Middle.
Resolution: To stay better connected with family in New York.
Christie Demps, 16, St. Petersburg
School: St. Pete High.
Resolution: Try to study harder to make better grades, and to get into shape physically.
Reason: So that I can enhance my chances of getting into college and become a healthier person.
Angela L. Bridges, 34, St. Petersburg
Occupation: Social worker.
Resolution: To spend more quality time with my family and friends.
Reason: Due to all of the tragedies that occurred in 2001, I don't want to assume that there is always going to be a tomorrow. I will treasure each day to the fullest and give praise to God for the bad days as well as the good days. I will keep my resolution this year by always keeping a positive attitude, avoiding stress and not letting the little things bother me.
Damaris Campos, 17, St. Petersburg
School: St. Petersburg High.
Resolution: To get more serious about school, lose weight and stop partying so much.
Reason: So that I can graduate with a scholarship, and by cutting back on the partying, I can concentrate more on schoolwork and weight, to look good for myself.
Samuel T. Pruitt, 34, St. Petersburg
Occupation: Teacher Resolution: To eat healthier.
Reason: To make myself feel better.
Charlie Chau, 50, Largo
Occupation: Owner of Wok Out Chinese Restaurant, Clearwater.
Resolution: To get back to the community more, after seeing the care of the community after what happened to my daughter. (She was shot three times in a December carjacking.)
Reason: I want to thank everyone for their support for my daughter, especially the detectives who helped catch the bad guys.
Simon Chau, 58, Seminole
Occupation: Cook at the Wok Out Restaurant; mail sorter for the St. Petersburg Times.
Resolution: This year, I wish I can retire early, because I'm working two jobs now.
Reason: Because all of my friends ask me why do I work so much, so I want to try to lay off a little bit. This year, I'll try harder to fulfill my resolution.
Ramon Navarro, 53, Clearwater
Occupation: United Airlines pilot.
Resolution: To try to be a more feeling, compassionate human being.
Reason: I realized that I am too impatient and easy to anger. After 9/11, so many changes have come about -- the economy is in a downturn, people losing their savings in the stock market, losing their jobs, losing their loved ones. It is time for reflection, for giving thanks to God for what we have and to make better the lives of those who have not. We have to live our lives out as best as we can, and not retreat to dark corners in fear of what might be.
Nathaniel Setiawan, 7, Largo
School: Walsingham Elementary, Largo.
Resolution: I want to get along better with my brother, and not fight with him all the time. This is my first resolution (ever).
Reason: Because my mom always gets mad at me whenever I fight with my brother. I want to change, so that I won't be yelled at.
Darian Setiawan, 7, Largo
School: Walsingham Elementary, Largo.
Resolution: I want to learn how to use the computer. This is my first resolution (too), so I want to try to keep it. Oh yeah, I also want to get along with my brother more.
Reason: Computers are fun. I see my brother play games on the computer all the time, so I want to learn how to use it.
Melissa Fronczak, 11, Beverly Hills
School: Forest Ridge Elementary, Beverly Hills.
Resolution: To be more friendly, to do better in math and to get better at cheerleading.
Reason: I'm not very good at any of them, but I'm going to practice. I never really came up with any goals for New Year's before, but I wanted to since what happened in September. Everybody's being so nice, so I want to prove that I can be responsible.
Christine Gaydos, 14, St. Petersburg
School: IB program, St. Petersburg High.
Resolution: Stop procrastinating so much.
Elaine Diesing, Beverly Hills
Occupation: Works at Evergreen Woods Rehabilitation Center in Spring Hill, is also the head of the middle and high school youth groups at St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Crystal River.
Resolution: To get out of debt and, of course, to lose weight. I want to eat less and eat healthier this time, and to spend more time with my family.
Reason: My neighbor had two heart attacks because he wasn't in shape. I can't let that happen to me.
Laura Van Scoik, 14, St. Petersburg
School: IB program, St. Petersburg High.
Resolution: To have better posture.
John Dwyer, 12, Beverly Hills
School: Citrus Springs Middle.
Resolution: All I want to do is to make better grades.
Reason: I was getting A's, B's and C's, but I want to try to get better grades for sports. I'm going to study more. Because of what happened (on Sept. 11), we need to try to keep our resolutions so we can live in a better world.
Danielle Sanford, 11, Crystal River
School: Rock Crusher Elementary, Homosassa.
Resolution: I want to do well in altar serving at church, and to be nicer to my brother.
Reason: I think I've matured more, and that's why I want to do well for church. Now, my brother is going to be the hardest. He's quite a story. I think that the best way to keep from punching him is to just walk away and don't retaliate like I probably would have, and to not start the fights. I will try harder this year, because I'll be thinking about Sept. 11.
Marina Siegel, 11, Beverly Hills
School: Home school.
Resolutions: To be a better person, to do well in school and to get closer to God.
Reason: I want to be more honest, to behave and to not say mean things about people. I am older, and when you get older, you have to take more responsibility for your actions. I've grown a lot since last year. I'm going into middle school soon, and I want to start off new with better grades and a new image. That's important.
Christian Matava, 17, Inverness
School: Citrus High, Inverness.
Resolution: To (get good scores on) both the SAT and ACT, to get into shape, to get a car and to get my artistic creativity back.
Reason: I want to get in shape so I can volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club again this summer. That is what really means the most to me.
Andrew Rophie, 15, Dunedin
School: Dunedin High.
Resolution: To be nicer to people.
Haley Dwyer, 7, Beverly Hills.
School: Forest Ridge Elementary, Beverly Hills.
Resolution: See before (when she was younger), all I worried about was if I could go shopping with my mom at the mall, or go play at my friends' houses. This year, I want to be able to do a handstand and I want to get good grades. If I keep practicing, then I can keep getting 100s on my spelling tests like I get sometimes.
- X-Team members contributing to this story are Stephanie Kiley, Allison Holder, Kristin Grotecloss, Sam French, Maddie Hightower, Tashyra Feazell, Jerrod Douse, Ferdian Jap, Autumn Siegel, Mandi-Lou Schantz Feld.
Here's the rest of today's Xpress
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