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A new year, a new you
New Year's resolutions can be big or small, many or few, but they all have one aim: to improve our lives and the world around us.
By SHERRY ROBINSON
Published January 2, 2006
At the beginning of a new year, we think about starting fresh, about making ourselves over or changing something in our lives that could make us a better person. If you are thinking about resolving to change something in 2006 but haven't quite decided what it is yet, maybe you can get some ideas from the X-Team. Some wrote lists, while others focused on one thing to change. But they all have plans to make 2006 the best year.
* * *
- Enjoy my senior year, have fun and relax now that the stressful whirlwind of college applications is finally OVER!
- Choose bike rides and exercise over watching countless reruns of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
- Get a date for prom.
- Take more risks and be a little more spontaneous.
- Have a blast on my 18th birthday, Jan. 22!
- Hang out with my family as much as I can before I leave for college.
- Give up Late Night with Conan O'Brien and actually sleep eight hours a night.
- Get accepted to Stanford!
- Do everything I won't be able to do once I graduate and leave Tampa (like driving down Bayshore Boulevard or having girly sleepovers).
- Take Oprah Winfrey's advice when she said, "The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams."
AMANDA MACHADO, 17, 12th grade, Plant High, Tampa
* * *
In 2006 I am going to eliminate fast food from my life completely. This year I have decided to avoid these war zones at all costs. Even though the service is super fast, most of the food contains nothing but fat! I resolve to make the healthy choice and eat "real" food in 2006.
EVIE GROSS, 15, ninth grade, St. Petersburg High IB program
* * *
I take extra classes online through the Florida Virtual School (FLVS.net), but lately, because school itself is already laborsome, I have started slipping in my online class schedules. Because I am behind the pace I am supposed to maintain, it is my New Year's resolution to catch up and get back on track and finish my courses according to schedule.
EMMANUEL BERCHMANS, 16, 11th grade, King High, Tampa
* * *
My New Year's resolution is first, to take more risks and lighten up. I want to do more things I haven't done and not worry about it. Second, I want to stop working so hard on my future. I must stop worrying that each B+
is tearing away from my career and the rest of my life.
MICHAEL NADER, 12, seventh grade, St. Paul's School, Clearwater
* * *
My New Year's resolution this year has been carried over for quite some time. For 2006 I hope to take better care of myself both emotionally and physically. I want to worry less about other people and their hopes for me and focus more on doing what is best in the long run. While still doing well in school, I want to think beyond the campus and focus on making myself a better person. I want to allow myself time to explore different interests and develop a new understanding for the people and situations around me. I want to view them in a more mature and informed light. Overall, in the new year, I want to see myself take on a lighter mind-set and take steps to benefit myself in the long run.
ALLIE EILAND, 16, 11th grade, Berkeley Preparatory School, Tampa
* * *
I've compiled a list of resolutions to kick the year off right. First, I figure that there is no excuse not to shed a few pounds, considering that the holidays are over. I would like to make straight As on my report card and excel in athletics. I want to allow more time in my schedule for volunteering, spending time with my family and friends. And it wouldn't hurt to make the varsity baseball team at school.
GEORGE CHRISTIAN PAPPAS, 14, ninth grade, Palm Harbor University High IB program
* * *
My New Year's resolution is to be more involved in the community and have more focus on school. At the beginning of 2005, I was involved in the community: I helped families bond, picked up trash all day some Saturdays and helped younger kids with homework. But lately I haven't had the time to really get involved. Also, I haven't been as focused in school as I should be, especially since I'm in a new school and am starting pre-algebra. It really opened my eyes to the fact that I was slacking off when I got my first report card with all As and one B, the first time I ever got anything less than all As.
CHERISE CLARKE, 12, sixth grade, Williams Middle Magnet, Tampa
* * *
Camp in every Florida state park.
Always do my best even though I'd rather watch TV.
Stop thinking my sister is a chew toy.
Eat ALL my fruits and veggies.
Yell encouragement to the primary kids I help with reading.
CASEY SEINA, 10, fifth grade, Longleaf Elementary, New Port Richey
* * *
My New Year's resolution would be to write to my Uncle Kirt in Alabama more often. He is often bedridden because of a muscle disease and I want to give him some entertainment by sending my stories to him. I know it will make him proud of me and I'll be proud of myself too. I'm going to aim for one story every two weeks to be mailed to him.
WILLIAM HARVEY, 10, fourth grade, Chiles Elementary, Tampa
* * *
My New Year's resolution will be to get more politically active, because I am concerned about the direction our country is moving in. I want to make a difference in peoples' lives, and I see how important it is to get out the vote. I will also try to make five people smile and feel better every day, because everyone needs that special something to brighten their day.
VERONIKA SLEP, 15, ninth grade, Northeast High, St. Petersburg
* * *
Why does it seem like setting goals and making a resolution only results in miserable failure? Every year, I want to make some amazing change in my life, and it never works. In January, I am diligent and follow the guidelines I've set, but somehow by February, everything falls apart. This year, it'll be different. I've decided that instead of a yearly resolution, I'll make one a month. For January, it's to get my body in shape for high school softball.
LYNDSEY MCKENNA, 15, ninth grade, St. Petersburg Catholic High
* * *
If you're like me, these major life-changing resolutions usually last up until the middle of February, if I'm lucky. This year, instead of making yet another futile New Year's resolution that won't last, how about I propose one that I can actually stick to? As the new year begins, I hope to consistently read at least one book a month. Although I used to love indulging myself in reading, I've found that the chaos and stress of high school allows me little time to do it. As the year starts anew, I challenge myself to a fresh start in reading. It's definitely time for renewed optimism and fresh starts. Best wishes for a prosperous and enjoyable new year!
ESTHER KIM, 17, 12th grade, King High, Tampa
* * *
I would like to change something about myself for the new year. I get mad very easily. I let my peers and antagonistic enemies affect me negatively, and it causes my fuse to grow shorter each day. I shouldn't let them get to me easily. This is a very reachable goal. I will change this about myself, see how it affects me and my enemies and peers. Hopefully, it will have a positive outcome for everybody.
JARED HOUSTON, 13, eighth grade, Academy Prep, St. Petersburg
* * *
My New Year's resolution is to stop biting my nails and do more service for the community.
ERIN TAYLOR, 13, eighth grade, Riviera Middle, St. Petersburg
[Last modified December 30, 2005, 09:38:04]
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