Health, school, economy all impact 2009 resolutions

by Darian Eswine and Jill Moore

The new year is a time to make resolutions, to fix habits that people would not otherwise attempt to mend. All resolutions fit into categories, some more popular than others.

“Health, I would say is the most used topic for resolutions; losing weight is probably the most common,” said English teacher Leigh Prifogle.

Latin teacher Tim Harbison agreed. “People need to worry about their health a little bit more, not because they want to be skinny but because they want to be healthy.”

Although many people like Prifogle and sophomore Ryan Trusty agree that health is the most common subject for New Year resolutions, there are many other topics also involved with the goal setting tradition.

“I think that health, family, and school are three great topics for resolutions,” said junior Amber Schultz.

Choosing a subject of someone’s New Year’s resolution is a simple process fit to everyone’s current needs. Sophomore Ally Ford said it was making good grades due to her reflection of the previous semester’s grades. For others it’s more complicated and harder to achieve.

“My New Year’s resolution is a good one; it’s really good... mine is not to get any (traffic) tickets this year because I got six last year,” said Prifogle.

Resolutions like these fall into the category some call adult resolutions. Although some may not see the difference, freshman Chris Carpenter said he thinks there is a big distinction between the subjects of adults’ resolutions and the younger generation’s resolutions. “Kids’ resolutions are mainly about fun or maybe school, but adults’ resolutions are about a lot like hobbies, jobs, and like the economy and money,” said Carpenter.

The current times also affect New Year’s resolutions, according to Prifogle. “This year I think a lot more people are making resolutions about saving money and the economy, so that may be the top subject of resolutions this year just because of the circumstances.”

Another topic is relationships which by Ford is one of the best topics for the declarations of change. Friendship is a main part of life to teenagers and cultivating them is important.

“Making new friendships is a really good resolution for anyone because friends are important in everyone’s life, and no one can have too many,” said freshman Sydney Shelton.

So many subjects are involved in New Year’s resolutions and health seems to be one of the top subjects. No matter what the topic is, though, anxious people like Prifogle await changing times in hopes of making a better future.

“I hope I’m successful; so far so good in 2009!”